Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “activity” — any specific behavior

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

(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 By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

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

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

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

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

put or send forth

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

plural of “close” — the temporal end; the concluding time

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

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

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

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

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

plural of “impulse” — an instinctive motive

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

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

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

of an obscure nature

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

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

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

immediately past

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

above and across; more than

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

the property of being remote

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

worried and uneasy

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

the chief mountain range of western North America; extends from British Columbia to northern New Mexico; forms the continental divide

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

the quality of being simple or uncompounded

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

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

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

carry out

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

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

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

of great force or power

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

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

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

in the direction of

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.

under normal conditions

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

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

From this reading For him, among the ancient watch-towers of the earth, the innumerable interests and activities of swarming cities, the restless tides and currents of an eager civilization, take on the remoteness of a dream.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading "The Story of The Foss River Ranch," "The Law Breakers," "The Way of the Strong," Etc.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

belonging to which person

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

plural of “wild” — a wild primitive state untouched by civilization

From this reading For the man whose lot is cast in the heart of these wilds, the drama of life usually moves with a tremendous simplicity toward the sudden and sombre tragedy of the last act.

in the company of; together with

From this reading By L. C. Page & Company To the spirit which broods over the stupendous solitudes of the northern Rockies, the soul of man, with all its complex impulses, is but so much plastic material which it shapes to its own inscrutable ends.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading The titanic world in which he lives closes in upon him and makes him its own.