used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
any thing at all
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "We turn here, captain.
without doubt or question
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
opinion or judgment
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
set up or found
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
herbagenoun
succulent herbaceous vegetation of pasture land
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
Jessica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
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 Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
Ninian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
not any; not one
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
select carefully from a group
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
in the near future
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
reporternounUS /rɪˈpɔːrtər/
a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
roughnessnounUS /ˈrʌfnəs/
a texture of a surface or edge that is not smooth but is irregular and uneven
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
roughnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
SamsonnounUS /ˈsæmsən/
(Old Testament) a judge of Israel who performed herculean feats of strength against the Philistines until he was betrayed to them by his mistress Delilah
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
Sharp'snounUS /ʃɑːrps/
possessive form of “sharp” — a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
SOBRANTE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
solitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
in a swift manner
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
in or at that place or location
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
very small
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading "We turn here, captain.
undeviatingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
untrainedadjectiveUS /ənˈtreɪnd/
not disciplined or conditioned or made adept by training
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BACK AT SOBRANTE For an hour and a half they rode swiftly along a comparatively level trail, though to Ninian Sharp's untrained eyes there was no road visible.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading How Samson managed to pick his way so undeviatingly over the dried herbage and sandy soil was a mystery; but neither the guide nor Jessica found anything strange in this.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We turn here, captain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
in or at the place that
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
which person or people
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Those who live in wide solitudes grow keen of sight and hearing, and there were tiny roughnesses here and there which clearly marked to these experienced ranch people where other feet had passed that way.
but in spite of that
From this reading Presently the roughness increased, and the trail climbed steadily toward a mesa, which seemed to the reporter but ten rods distant, yet was, in reality, as many miles.
