used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
a-tingle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
in addition
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
buzzingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌzɪŋ/
noisy like the sound of a bee
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
CHAOSnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
CREATIONnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/
headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”
From this reading Manti was destined to live.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
empire-building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
ganglingadjective
tall and thin and having long slender limbs
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
garishadjectiveUS /ˈɡerɪʃ/
tastelessly showy
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
coins made of gold
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
husksnounUS /hʌsks/
plural of “husk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
lethargicadjectiveUS /ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk/
deficient in alertness or activity
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Manti was destined to live.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
Manti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Manti was destined to live.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
monumentsnounUS /ˈmɑːnjəmənts/
plural of “monument” — a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
mushroom-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
overnightadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈnaɪt/
during or for the length of one night
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
palpitatingadjectiveUS /ˈpælpəteɪtɪŋ/
having a slight and rapid trembling motion
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
pioneernounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/
someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
cut with a saw
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
self-sufficientadjectiveUS /ˌselfsəˈfɪʃənt/
able to provide for your own needs without help from others
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
shamedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪmd/
showing a sense of guilt
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
smugadjectiveUS /smʌɡ/
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
squalornounUS /ˈskwɑːlər/
sordid dirtiness
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
substantialadjectiveUS /səbˈstænʃəl/
of considerable importance, size, or worth
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
superioritynounUS /ˌsuːpɪriˈɔːrɪti/
the quality of being superior
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/
very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Manti was destined to live.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE CHAOS OF CREATION The West saw many "boom" towns.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They followed in the wake of "gold strikes;" they grew, mushroom-like, overnight--garish husks of squalor, palpitating, hardy, a-tingle with extravagant hopes.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading A few, it is true, lived to become substantial cities buzzing with the American spirit, panting, fighting for progress with an energy that shamed the Old World, lethargic in its smug and self-sufficient superiority.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading But many towns died in their gangling youth, tragic monuments to hopes; but monuments also to effort, and to the pioneer courage and the dreams of an empire-building people.
