Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

later than; following

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

(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 This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

taking care or paying attention

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

rid of obstructions

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

capable of being comprehended or understood

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

plural of “drill” — a tool with a sharp point and cutting edges for making holes in hard materials (usually rotating rapidly or by repeated blows)

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

divisible by two

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

at any time

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

past form of “flock” — move as a crowd or in a group

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

-ing form of “hew” — make or shape as with an axe

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

throw forcefully

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

for more time

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

not any; not one

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

something you have to do

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

above and across; more than

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

plural of “portion” — something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

a partly sheltered anchorage

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

feeling a need to see others suffer

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

the season of growth

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

give something useful or necessary to

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

inflected form of “underpin” — support from beneath

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

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

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

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

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading On several occasions we were almost checkmated in our efforts to supply and clear a way for the builders.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

at the time that

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.

during the time that

From this reading Portions were hewn out of the solid rock, of a hardness that was often too much for our most carefully tempered drills; others were underpinned with timber against the mountain side, or carried across deep ravines on open trestles; while much of it had to be roofed in by massive sheds, so that the snow-slides might not hurl it into the valley.

which person or people

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

in the company of; together with

From this reading UNDER THE SHADOW OF DEATH In spite of the many new hands who flocked in with the spring, the line progressed slowly.

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading This was quite comprehensible, and when I traveled over it afterward as a passenger I wondered how we had ever built it at all.

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

From this reading There was, of course, no lack of timber, but the difficulty was to get it out of the forest and into position, for we often spent days building skidways or hewing roads to bring the great logs down, after which it cost us even a longer time rigging gear to lower them over dangerous ledges to those who worked below.