Chapter VII · Chapter 7

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

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

later than; following

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

anew

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

in addition

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

more than enough in size or scope or capacity

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

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

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

eagerly desirous

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

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

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

regard something as probable or likely

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

(of e.g. fabric design) adorned with patterns

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

set up or found

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

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

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

signifying nothing

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

investigate scientifically

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

the literary culture

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

of very great significance

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

the second day of the week; the first working day

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

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

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

an organization to gain political power

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

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

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

be shown or be found to be

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

-ing form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

exploring in order to gain information

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

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

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

make square

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

past form of “stake” — put at risk

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the money risked on a gamble

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

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

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

very small

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

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

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the third day of the week; the second working day

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

past form of “uproot” — move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

precisely as stated

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

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

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

the fourth day of the week; the third working day

From this reading SEVERAL MOMENTOUS LETTERS Monday and Tuesday passed very slowly to the anxious girls, and on Wednesday they began looking for the return of their scouting party.

a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

in or at the place that

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

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

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

which person or people

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

in the company of; together with

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Then Wednesday also passed without a sign of the returning engineers; so on Thursday, Mrs. Brewster told the girls they would have to drive into Oak Creek for supplies and the weekly mail.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading But in such a dreadful wilderness of torn-up trees, and washed out earth, where mile after mile of mountain-land had changed its appearance, who could hope to locate a tiny square of ground that had been staked as the wonderful mine?

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

From this reading And with giant trees uprooted and tossed along the current of the land-slide, how could any one expect the insignificant wooden stakes to remain to mark the place?

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Polly figured that three days would prove ample time in which to investigate the conditions and determine whether or not the mine could be worked--providing it was found again.