Chapter XII · The Prairie Fire

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

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

(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 The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

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

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

something (such as money) given or received as payment or reparation (as for a service or loss or injury)

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

deem to be

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

a refrigerator for cooling liquids

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

superlative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide absorbs water and is used to remove moisture)

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

let fall to the ground

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

annoyed and irritable

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

comparative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

comparative of “juicy” — full of juice

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

the month following June and preceding August

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

produced in a large-scale industrial operation

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The summer had been a particularly dry one, and since the beginning of July not a drop of rain had fallen.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The skin is of the darkest green and as hard as a board, a most unripe-looking object at all times.

the act of using

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

edible seeds or roots or stems or leaves or bulbs or tubers or nonsweet fruits of any of numerous herbaceous plant

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The water-melons revelled in the heat, and Olive revelled in the water-melons: for by a blessed compensation of Nature the hotter and drier the land, the cooler and juicier the water-melons seem to be.

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 The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

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

From this reading The water-melon of the western prairie is as different from the pallid green-fleshed vegetable which masquerades under its name in this country, as the full moon of the heavens is superior to the lime-light article manufactured for use on the stage.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The real prairie water-melon is an enormous affair, being about as large as the roll of rugs without which fussy gentlemen consider it impossible to travel.