Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

quickly and without warning

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

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

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

having a hardened crust as a covering

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

wear out completely

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

a flaw or weak point

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

a person who lacks good judgment

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

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

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

-ing form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

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

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

lacking power or ability

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

plural of “knife” — edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

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

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

out of fashion

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

move with force

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

the process of showing signs of life

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

on the contrary

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

a continuing shrill noise

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

the act of closing something

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

tangled in knots or snarls

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

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

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

travel by means of steam power

From this reading "Gar-r-r!" snarled Gallagher, the red-headed Irish engineer, shutting off the steam in impotent rage.

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

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

From this reading Author of The Quickening, The Grafters A Fool for Love, etc.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

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

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

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

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

at the time that

From this reading The cab of the 206 was old and weather-shaken, and Ford pulled the collar of his buffalo coat about his ears when the grunting of the exhaust and the shrilling of the wheels on the snow-shod rails stopped abruptly.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading There was a wind--the winter day above timber-line without its wind is as rare as a thawing Christmas--and it cut like knives through any garmenting lighter than fur or leather.

indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration

From this reading Engine Number 206, narrow gauge, was pushing, or rather failing to push, the old-fashioned box-plow through the crusted drifts on the uptilted shoulder of Plug Mountain, at altitude ten thousand feet, with the mercury at twelve below zero.