used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
speak to
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
DoriannounUS /ˈdɔːriən/
a member of one of four linguistic divisions of the prehistoric Greeks
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
driftsnounUS /drɪfts/
plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
apart from; not including
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
set up or found
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
frettedadjectiveUS /ˈfretɪd/
having frets
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
hinderances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
hinderedverbUS /ˈhɪndərd/
past form of “hinder” — be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
impassible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
impatientlyadverbUS /ˌɪmˈpeɪʃəntli/
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
mail-carrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
engage in
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
a form of address for a man
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
on one occasion
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The next day Dorian made inquiries as to how he could reach the place indicated by the address, and he learned that it was a ranch house well up in the mountains.
at the time that
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
WhitmannounUS /ˈwɪtmən/
United States poet who celebrated the greatness of America (1819-1892)
From this reading All day the snow fell, and all day Dorian fretted impatiently, and was tempted to once more go out to Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; but he did not.
which person or people
From this reading Dorian found the mail-carrier who told him that it would be impossible to make a start until the storm had ceased.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The threatened storm came, and with it high wind which piled the snow into deep, hard drifts, making the mountain road nearly impassible.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a daily mail in that direction, except when the roads and the weather hindered; and it seemed that these would now be hinderances.
