Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

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

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

have

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

a low-lying region in central France

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

uneven by virtue of having wrinkles or waves

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

with intention; in an intentional manner

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

a wide scope

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

opinion or judgment

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

a short vivid experience

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a long fixed look

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

coins made of gold

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

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

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

past form of “intervene” — get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

property that is leased or rented out or let

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

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 For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a midwestern state in central United States; a border state during the American Civil War, Missouri was admitted to the Confederacy without actually seceding from the Union

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a coniferous tree

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

new

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

plural of “rein” — one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

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

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

put a saddle on

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

(especially of rows as of troops or mountains) pressed together

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

past form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

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

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a native or resident of Texas

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

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

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading From the silver and gold of the flashing waters his eyes strayed to the smoke-grey sage flats that intervened, and then to the cool dark green of the pines.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

very small

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

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

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

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

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

precisely as stated

From this reading Very deliberately he slipped from the saddle, letting the reins fall to the ground.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

a Caucasian

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

belonging to which person

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Haze purpled the distant mountains of cow-land, and the cowpuncher's gaze strayed slowly from the serried peaks of the Bear Paws to rest upon the broad expanse of the barren, mica-studded bad lands with their dazzling white alkali beds, and their brilliant red and black mosaic of lava rock that trembled and danced and shimmered in the crinkly waves of heat.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading The Texan drew up in the centre of a tiny glade that formed an opening in the bull pine woods.

of a medium to dark brownish yellow color

From this reading For a long time he stared at the Missouri whose yellow-brown waters rolled wide and deep from recent rains.