used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
(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 When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Uncle Bill loved his gulch, and David and Goliath loved Uncle Bill.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
burronounUS /ˈbɜːroʊ/
small donkey used as a pack animal
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
domicilenoun
(law) the residence where you have your permanent home or principal establishment and to where, whenever you are absent, you intend to return; every person is compelled to have one and only one domicile at a time
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
Etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
fordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
freshets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
GoliathnounUS /ɡəˈlaɪəθ/
(Old Testament) a giant Philistine warrior who was slain by David with a slingshot
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
gulchnounUS /ɡʌltʃ/
a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading Uncle Bill loved his gulch, and David and Goliath loved Uncle Bill.
gurglingverbUS /ˈɡɜːrɡəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “gurgle” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
HarmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Uncle Bill loved his gulch, and David and Goliath loved Uncle Bill.
impunitynounUS /ˌɪmˈpjuːnɪti/
exemption from punishment or loss
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
interveningadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈviːnɪŋ/
occurring or falling between events or points in time
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
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 It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
held dear
From this reading Uncle Bill loved his gulch, and David and Goliath loved Uncle Bill.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
arrange in a container
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
permanentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrmənənt/
continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/
one who lives in solitude
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
ridgesnounUS /ˈrɪdʒəz/
plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
move stealthily
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
the season of growth
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was not a place that any one other than a recluse might have chosen for permanent domicile, but to Old Harmless it was Heaven.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Author of “David and Goliath,” “The Box,” Etc.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
the upper part of anything
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
a source of difficulty
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Uncle Bill loved his gulch, and David and Goliath loved Uncle Bill.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
at the time that
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When trouble came they promised to stick by him to the bitter end--which wasn’t so bitter, after all.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a long distance from the beaten roads to where “Old Harmless” had his cabin; quite over the top of ridges, down across intervening valleys, around mountain shelves where a pack burro might not slip with impunity, and with now and then a gurgling little stream to ford that became a dangerous place when spring freshets ran high and filled a gulch.
