adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
arroyonounUS /ərˈɔɪoʊ/
a stream or brook
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
brownounUS /braʊ/
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
CarrollnounUS /ˈkærəl/
English author; Charles Dodgson was an Oxford don of mathematics who is remembered for the children's stories he wrote under the pen name Lewis Carroll (1832-1898)
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
certainadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtən/
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
chargernounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒər/
formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
copsenoun
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
crossedadjectiveUS /krɔːst/
placed crosswise
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
embankmentsnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənts/
plural of “embankment” — a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
extentnounUS /ɪkˈstent/
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
fieldnounUS /fiːld/
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
flashverbUS /flæʃ/
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
frightenedadjectiveUS /ˈfraɪtənd/
made afraid
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
furrowverbUS /ˈfɜːroʊ/
hollow out in the form of a furrow or groove
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
grazingnounUS /ˈɡreɪzɪŋ/
the act of grazing
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
gulliesnounUS /ˈɡʌliz/
plural of “gully” — deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
half-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/
plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
LanounUS /lɑː/
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
landsnounUS /lændz/
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
lossnounUS /lɔːs/
something that is lost
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
miryadjective
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
Mision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
passedverbUS /pæst/
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
Perdida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
reinedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/
plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
rumblingnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
scatteredadjectiveUS /ˈskætərd/
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Captain Carroll reined in his frightened charger, and passed his hand across his brow with a dazed sense of loss.
soilnounUS /sɔɪl/
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
undeviatingadjective
going directly ahead from one point to another without veering or turning aside
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But it was not until he had crossed the arroyo that he felt the full extent of the late improvements.
urgedverbUS /ɜːrdʒd/
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were the usual deep gullies and trenches, half-filled with water, in the fields and along the road, but there were ominous embankments and ridges of freshly turned soil, and a scattered fringe of timbers following a cruel, undeviating furrow on the broad grazing lands of the Mision.
willownounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading A quick rumbling in the distance, a light flash of steam above the willow copse, that drifted across the field on his right, and he knew that the railroad was already in operation.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
wroughtadjectiveUS /rɔːt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading As Captain Carroll urged his horse along the miry road to La Mision Perdida, he was struck with certain changes in the landscape before him other than those wrought by the winter rains.
