used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
ALLYnounUS /ˈælaɪ/
a friendly nation
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
brawlingverbUS /ˈbrɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “brawl” — to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
constructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
constructional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
contractornounUS /ˈkɑːntræktər/
someone (a person or firm) who contracts to build things
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
yet to be or coming
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
gangsnounUS /ɡæŋz/
plural of “gang” — an association of criminals
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
glaciersnounUS /ˈɡleɪʃərz/
plural of “glacier” — a slowly moving mass of ice
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
hoarselyadverb
in a hoarse or husky voice
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
Kermode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
MISSIONARY'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
held or filled or in use
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
peaksnounUS /piːks/
plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
scarpnounUS /skɑːrp/
a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
shacksnounUS /ʃæks/
plural of “shack” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
streakedadjectiveUS /striːkt/
marked with or as if with stripes or linear discolorations
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Above rose vast slopes, streaked in some places with small firs, in others ground to a smooth scarp by sliding snow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MISSIONARY'S ALLY On reaching the railroad camp, Kermode was engaged by the contractor to haul in logs cut in a neighboring forest for constructional purposes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Farther back were glaciers and a chain of glittering peaks.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The line ran into a wild valley, clinging to the rocks that formed one side of it, with a torrent brawling hoarsely among the stones beneath.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The mouth of the valley had been laid out as the site of a future town, but so far it was occupied by rows of tents and rude wooden shacks, inhabited by the construction gangs.
