Chapter XIV · Order and Disorder

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

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

annoy persistently

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

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

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

superlative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

free from clouds

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

cause to herd, drive, or crowd together

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

clearly characterized or delimited

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

past form of “deluge” — fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

in deplorable condition

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

disappointingly unsuccessful

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

breaking up and scattering by dispersion

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

abundantly covered or supplied with; often used in combination

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

plural of “evidence” — your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

apart from; not including

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

an enclosed chamber in which heat is produced to heat buildings, destroy refuse, smelt or refine ores, etc.

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

a narrow gorge with a stream running through it

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

have as a part, be made up out of

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

in place of, or as an alternative to

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

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

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

and nothing more

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

above and across; more than

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

by chance

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

in the recent past

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

being ten more than sixty

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

in an aggressive manner

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

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

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

past form of “subject” — cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

not restrained or controlled

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

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

From this reading The bluest of cloudless skies bent over the landscape; the verdureless rocks glistened in the light of the sun, as if they had recently been subjected to a furnace heat instead of being drenched by a flood.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

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

From this reading The storm died out over Hurley’s Gulch, and except for the high current in the creek there was nothing to indicate that the land had been recently deluged.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

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

From this reading The lines of the Sierra Madre Mountains, to the east, were so clear and sharply defined that they seemed to be but a short walk away instead of being seventy miles.

which person or people

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Only the ragged tents and dilapidated cabins showed the effects of the storm; perhaps we should include the crowd of red-eyed miners, who, with the evidences of unbridled dissipation on their faces, crowded about the principal saloon.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Frank Shirley and Badger were disappointed in the work they had planned for the night before.