used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
badly-needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
cement-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading The day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
coolingnounUS /ˈkuːlɪŋ/
the process of becoming cooler; a falling temperature
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
crashesnounUS /ˈkræʃɪz/
plural of “crash” — a loud resonant repeating noise
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
downpoursnounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːrz/
plural of “downpour” — a heavy rain
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
dust-clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
gumbonounUS /ˈɡʌmboʊ/
any of various fine-grained silty soils that become waxy and very sticky mud when saturated with water
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
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 day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
mirenounUS /maɪr/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
plankverbUS /plæŋk/
cover with planks
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
a safe place
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
not used up
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
ruttedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌtɪd/
full of ruts
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
Sebastian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
sidewalksnounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːks/
plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
swelteringadjectiveUS /ˈsweltərɪŋ/
excessively hot and humid or marked by sweating and faintness
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
unpicturesqueadjective
without beauty or charm
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading The day, however, had been cloudless and unusually hot.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading As a rule, during the remaining day or two the temperature sharply falls, thunder crashes between downpours of heavy rain, and the wet plank sidewalks provide a badly-needed refuge from the cement-like "gumbo" mire.
wheatnounUS /wiːt/
annual or biennial grass having erect flower spikes and light brown grains
From this reading Prescott had driven in from his wheat farm at some distance from the settlement, and he now walked toward the hotel.
at the time that
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
in or at the place that
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The place is not attractive during the earlier portion of the short northern summer, when for the greater part of every week it lies sweltering in heat, in spite of the strong west winds that drive dust-clouds through its rutted streets.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The air was cooling down toward evening at Sebastian, where an unpicturesque collection of wooden houses stand upon a branch line on the Canadian prairie.
