Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

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

From this reading Macmillan And Co.

move towards

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

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

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading BY MACMILLAN AND CO.

the property of being moderately cold

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Macmillan And Co.

any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a female human offspring

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

one or the other of two

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

ten 10s

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

inflected form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading Macmillan And Co.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

above and across; more than

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

presiding officer of a school

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

bend one's back forward from the waist on down

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

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

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

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

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading The day had been warm, but the chilliness of the evening air betokened the near approach of the Indian summer.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

in or at the place that

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.

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

From this reading As soon as the Elder left the supper-table his daughter and the new schoolmaster went out on the stoop or verandah which ran round the frame-house.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading The house stood upon the crest of what had been a roll in the prairie, and as the two leant together on the railing of the stoop, they looked out over a small orchard of peach-trees to where, a couple of hundred yards away, at the foot of the bluff, Cottonwood Creek ran, fringed on either bank by the trees which had suggested its name.