used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
at or in the front
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
campedverbUS /kæmpt/
past form of “camp” — live in or as if in a tent
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
cañon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
granitenounUS /ˈɡrænət/
plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
Harriet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the act of departing
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
mudholes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
plungeverbUS /plʌndʒ/
thrust or throw into
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
snow-swollen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the season of growth
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the rays of the sun
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
watershedsnounUS /ˈwɔːtərʃedz/
plural of “watershed” — a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
From this reading Then came the flats--a stretch of meadow that lay sunken between the north and south watersheds--and after that a sharp plunge down a narrow trail cut in the face of the mountain to the bottom of Spring Creek cañon.
in or at the place that
From this reading After leaving the cañon where they had camped, Rob and Harriet drove through a region of utter desolation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The snow-swollen stream filled most of the narrow floor of the cañon; the road was a succession of mudholes through which Rob forced the struggling horses.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading A thick wall of willows along the stream kept the travelers from seeing more than a few feet ahead; the gray walls of the gorge shut off the sunlight and echoed noisily to the shouting creek.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The road wound about among crags and needles of granite that rose high into the air.
