Chapter XXXI · A Startling Relic of the Flood

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

without stop or interruption

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

-ing form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

marked for certain death

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

the act of crossing a stream or river by wading or in a car or on a horse

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

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

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

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

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

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

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

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

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

not any; not one

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

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

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

inflected form of “span” — to cover or extend over an area or time period

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

past form of “subside” — wear off or die down

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading In fact, there was not a single familiar feature on the landscape of that doomed valley.

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

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

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

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

in the direction of

From this reading Declining this kind offer, the postboy continued on toward his destination, often finding it difficult to get along.

a just detectable amount

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

a source of difficulty

From this reading The stream had subsided, so he had no trouble in fording it a little above where the bridge had been.

up to a particular time

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

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

From this reading Of course there was no trace of this left.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

in or at the place that

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading But slowly he worked his way up the valley, until he reached the spot where in the forenoon the river had been spanned by the pole bridge.