Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

plural of “barn” — an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

carefully weighed

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

Persian prince who was defeated in battle by his brother Artaxerxes II (424-401 BC)

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

owed and payable immediately or on demand

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

enclose in or as if in a frame

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

completed to perfection

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

the force of workers available

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

the northwestern region of the United States

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

plural of “optimist” — a person disposed to take a favorable view of things

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

the acquisition of something for payment

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

in a shrewd manner

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

plural of “stable” — a farm building for housing horses or other livestock

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

in or at that place or location

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

under normal conditions

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

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

From this reading Author of "Thurston of Orchard Valley," "By Right of Purchase," "Lorimer of the Northwest," etc.

the sensation caused by heat energy

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

(of hair) having waves

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading That, however, is the land of promise, a promise which is in due time usually fulfilled, and the men of Lander's were, for the most part, shrewdly practical optimists.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading Lander's consisted then of five or six frame houses and stores, a hotel of the same material, several sod stables, and a few birch-log barns; and its inhabitants considered it one of the most promising places in Western Canada.

in or at the place that

From this reading The barn stood at one end of the little, desolate settlement, where the trail that came up from the railroad thirty miles away forked off into two wavy ribands melting into a waste of snow.

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

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

a Caucasian

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading With Four Illustrations by Cyrus Cuneo The frost outside was bitter, and the prairie which rolled back from Lander's in long undulations to the far horizon, gleamed white beneath the moon, but there was warmth and brightness in Stukely's wooden barn.