used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/
in a courageous manner
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading Spring in the canyons!
cedarsnounUS /ˈsiːdərz/
plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading There was a great stir in the court.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
divisible by two
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was a great stir in the court.
highest in quality
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Spring in the canyons!
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
pinons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
possessing material wealth
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
the season of growth
From this reading Spring in the canyons!
move an implement through
From this reading There was a great stir in the court.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Spring in the canyons!
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a great stir in the court.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
tuftsnounUS /tʌfts/
plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Life was in the air, and it stirred even the oldest people of the cliff village to a keen interest in the year’s greatest event.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading How good the warm, moist air felt after the rains, and how bright and fresh the young grass looked along the little river so far below the cliff village.
yuccanounUS /ˈjʌkə/
any of several evergreen plants of the genus Yucca having usually tall stout stems and a terminal cluster of white flowers; warmer regions of North America
From this reading The rusty red of the pinons and oaks, and of the dull little cedars, too, had been turned to deep, rich green, and the yucca tufts which clambered bravely almost to the top of the gorge were sending up new lances of vivid color.
