used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
(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 A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
Baldynoun
a person whose head is bald or shaved
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
blue-edged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
Bondsman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
BudnounUS /bʌd/
a partially opened flower
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
emeraldnounUS /ˈemrəld/
a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
grassesnounUS /ˈɡræsəz/
plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
grasslandnounUS /ˈɡræslænd/
land where grass or grasslike vegetation grows and is the dominant form of plant life
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
not accessible to view
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
horizon-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
marsh-grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
meanderedverbUS /miˈændərd/
past form of “meander” — to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
MesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
attach to a support
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
plateaus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
Shoop's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading A mountain stream, all but hidden by the grasses, meandered across the mesa to an emerald hollow of coarse marsh-grass.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
the rays of the sun
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
possessing sweep
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
timberedadjective
furnished with or made of wood or timbers
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
vigilnounUS /ˈvɪdʒəl/
a period of sleeplessness
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading To the west the barren peak of Mount Baldy maintained a solitary vigil in sunshine and tempest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading _Bondsman's Decision_ Bud Shoop's homestead on the Blue Mesa lay in a wide level of grassland, round which the spruce of the high country swept in a great, blue-edged circle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Away to the north the timbered plateaus dropped from level to level like a gigantic stair until they merged with the horizon-line of the plains.
but in spite of that
From this reading The air on the Blue Mesa was thin and keen; warm in the sun, yet instantly cool at dusk.
