adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
admittedverbUS /ədˈmɪtɪd/
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
Carquinez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
ConsequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/
a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
dimadjectiveUS /dɪm/
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
diminishingadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/
becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
ExcelsiornounUS /ɪkˈselsiər/
thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
flumesnounUS /fluːmz/
plural of “flume” — a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
ForknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
gatewaysnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/
plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
HerculesnounUS /ˈhɜːrkjəliːz/
(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
individualitynounUS /ˌɪndɪvɪdʒuːˈælɪti/
the quality of being individual
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
infantnounUS /ˈɪnfənt/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
inferioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɪriər/
of or characteristic of low rank or importance
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
integritynounUS /ˌɪnˈteɡrəti/
an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
leaguenounUS /liːɡ/
an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
lesseradjectiveUS /ˈlesər/
of less size or importance
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
life-current
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
newly-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
peculiaritynounUS /pɪˌkjuːliˈerəti/
an odd or unusual characteristic
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
refreshedadjectiveUS /riˈfreʃt/
with restored energy
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
serpentineadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrpəntaɪn/
resembling a serpent in form
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
serriedadjective
(especially of rows as of troops or mountains) pressed together
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
shadeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
singularadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/
unusual or striking
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
strangledadjectiveUS /ˈstræŋɡəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
sycamores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
trailsnounUS /treɪlz/
plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
treesnounUS /triːz/
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 Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It was here the newly-born city of Excelsior, still in its cradle, had, like an infant Hercules, strangled the serpentine North Fork of the American river, and turned its life-current into the ditches and flumes of the Excelsior miners.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
wateredadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtərd/
(of silk fabric) having a wavelike pattern
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nor was there any diminishing fringe on its outskirts; the sentinels that guarded the few gateways of the dim trails were as monstrous as the serried ranks drawn up in the heart of the forest.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Even where the integrity of its own singular species was not entirely preserved, it admitted no inferior trees.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading Consequently, the red highway that skirted the eastern angle was bare and shadeless, until it slipped a league off into a watered valley and refreshed itself under lesser sycamores and willows.
WoodnounUS /wʊd/
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading It was a peculiarity of the Carquinez Wood that it stood apart and distinct in its gigantic individuality.
