used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
in the past
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
altitudesnounUS /ˈæltɪtuːdz/
plural of “altitude” — elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
aroused or activated
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
Burleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Think of old Burleigh raising oranges!
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
ElnounUS /el/
angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
yet to be or coming
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
in a gradual manner
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
indistinctnessnoun
the quality of being indistinct and without sharp outlines
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
a small worthless amount
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
immediately past
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
the act of departing
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Think of old Burleigh raising oranges!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
orangesnounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒəz/
plural of “orange” — round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading "Think of old Burleigh raising oranges!
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
ozonenounUS /ˈoʊzoʊn/
a colorless gas (O3) soluble in alkalis and cold water
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
Paso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
puffingnounUS /ˈpʌfɪŋ/
blowing tobacco smoke out into the air
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
rangesnounUS /ˈreɪndʒəz/
plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
RIVERSnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
spaciousadjectiveUS /ˈspeɪʃəs/
very large in expanse or scope
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
spectraladjectiveUS /ˈspektrəl/
of or relating to a spectrum
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
sweetlyadverbUS /ˈswiːtli/
in an affectionate or loving manner (“sweet” is sometimes a poetic or informal variant of “sweetly”)
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Think of old Burleigh raising oranges!
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading Raising the shade of his berth he looked out on spectral ranges that seemed marching and tumbling through dim distances.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
upgradeverbUS /əpˈɡreɪd/
rate higher; raise in value or esteem
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The engine was puffing on an upgrade; the car creaked and leaned in taking a curve.
in or at the place that
From this reading With pillows doubled under his head he lay back, filling sight and mind with the indistinctness and spacious mystery of the desert at night; recalling his thoughts with his last view of it over two months ago in the morning hours after leaving El Paso and seeing his future with it now, where then he had seen his future with the store.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
XXXVadjective
being five more than thirty
From this reading HE FINDS HIS PLACE IN LIFE XXXV BACK TO LITTLE RIVERS As with the gentle touch of a familiar hand, the ozone of high altitudes gradually and sweetly awakened Jack.
