used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
(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 All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
bluishadjectiveUS /ˈbluːɪʃ/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
bronchonoun
an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
buryverbUS /ˈberi/
cover from sight
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
cameonounUS /ˈkæmioʊ/
engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
cellarsnounUS /ˈselərz/
plural of “cellar” — the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
Clayton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
Clayton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
cragnounUS /kræɡ/
a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
CurtisnounUS /ˈkɜːrtəs/
English botanical writer and publisher (1746-1799)
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
DREAMERnounUS /ˈdriːmər/
someone who is dreaming
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
etchedadjectiveUS /etʃt/
cut or impressed into a surface
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
foundationnounUS /faʊnˈdeɪʃən/
the basis on which something is grounded
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
grass-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
levelsnounUS /ˈlevəlz/
plural of “level” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
pawedverbUS /pɔːd/
past form of “paw” — scrape with the paws
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
philosophernounUS /fəˈlɑːsəfər/
a specialist in philosophy
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
physiciannounUS /fəˈzɪʃən/
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
restlesslyadverbUS /ˈrestləsli/
in a restless manner
From this reading Clayton’s broncho pawed restlessly on the edge of a grass-grown cellar.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/
plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
put a saddle on
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
an educational institution
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
having a supporting base
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
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 DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
very small
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading Behind towered the mountain, washed clean, too, its flat top etched against the sky and every crag and peak standing out sharp and hard as a cameo.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
undulatingverbUS /ˈʌndʒəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
unoccupiedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːkjəpaɪd/
not held or filled or in use
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
having passed out of existence
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
precisely as stated
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading The rain of the morning had cleared away the bluish ground haze, the very air had been washed clean, and the land lay revealed in long levels and undulating ridges.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All about the tiny cluster of unoccupied houses were other grass-grown cellars, and the foundation lines of vanished buildings, marking the site of the abandoned town.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM Before swinging out of the saddle in front of the little school house which was serving as a church, Curtis Clayton, physician and philosopher, looked over the valley which held the story of a romantic hope and where he was to bury his own shattered dream.
