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 Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

largest known toad species; native to Central America; valuable destroyer of insect pests

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

a stream or brook

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

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

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

not accessible to view

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

placed crosswise

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

lying toward or situated in the east

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

excessively quick

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

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

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

vigorously energetic or forceful

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

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

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

ten 10s

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the force of workers available

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

past form of “picket” — serve as pickets or post pickets

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

that is looked for

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

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

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

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 The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

-ing form of “ware” — spend extravagantly

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

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

From this reading He was reasonably certain that they would not ride through the cañon in daylight.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Waring picketed his horse in a dim angle of the Agua Fria Cañon, spread his saddle-blanket to dry in the afternoon sun, and, climbing to a narrow ledge, surveyed the cañon from end to end with a pair of high-power glasses.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading The natural trail through the Agua Fria was along the western wall; a trail that he had avoided, working his toilsome way down the eastern side through a labyrinth of brush and rock that had concealed him from view.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He knew the men he sought would ride south.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading A few hundred yards below his hasty camp a sandy arroyo crossed the cañon's mouth.