used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
abominableadjectiveUS /əˈbɑːmənəbəl/
unequivocally detestable
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
in addition
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A man who was coming up the road hailed the stage as it approached.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
AshevillenounUS /ˈæʃvɪl/
a town in western North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west of Charlotte
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
CarolinanounUS /ˌkerəˈlaɪnə/
the area of the states of North Carolina and South Carolina
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
crazyadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/
affected with madness or insanity
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
encrustedadjectiveUS /enˈkrʌstɪd/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
fire-flies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
four-horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading A man who was coming up the road hailed the stage as it approached.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
immediately past
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A man who was coming up the road hailed the stage as it approached.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
mountain-road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
myriads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
not any; not one
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
poundedverbUS /ˈpaʊndɪd/
past form of “pound” — hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
starlitadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrlɪt/
lighted only by stars
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
tarnishedverbUS /ˈtɑːrnɪʃt/
past form of “tarnish” — make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
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 Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A man who was coming up the road hailed the stage as it approached.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
vociferousadjectiveUS /voʊˈsɪfərəs/
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But as it had pounded all the way from Asheville by the abominable mountain-road, no doubt it had cause to be vociferous and tarnished.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week later, early in the evening, a four-horse stage was coming slowly down the last mile or two of road above the little North Carolina village of Old Fort at the eastern base of the Blue Ridge.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Above, the stars were shining brightly; and the forest also appeared to be starlit, owing to the myriads of fire-flies that gleamed like sparks against the dark trees.
which person or people
From this reading A man who was coming up the road hailed the stage as it approached.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a creaking, crazy vehicle, thickly encrusted with red clay.
