used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
crackingnounUS /ˈkrækɪŋ/
a sudden sharp noise
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
Denver'snounUS /ˈdenvərz/
possessive form of “denver” — the state capital and largest city of Colorado; located in central Colorado on the South Platte river
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
Drusilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
dumpverbUS /dʌmp/
throw away as refuse
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
remove the dust from
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
fetchedverbUS /fetʃt/
past form of “fetch” — go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
held up in the air
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
lizardsnounUS /ˈlɪzərdz/
plural of “lizard” — relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
manfullyadverbUS /ˈmænfəli/
in a manful manner; with qualities thought to befit a man
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
orenounUS /ɔːr/
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
palpitateverbUS /ˈpælpəteɪt/
cause to throb or beat rapidly
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
peaksnounUS /piːks/
plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
Pinal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
quartzitenoun
hard metamorphic rock consisting essentially of interlocking quartz crystals
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
sackingnounUS /ˈsækɪŋ/
coarse fabric used for bags or sacks
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
scurryingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
deliver by singing
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
single-jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
slashingadjectiveUS /ˈslæʃɪŋ/
as if striking with slashing blows
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
sluggingverbUS /ˈslʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “slug” — strike heavily, especially with the fist or a bat
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
sortingnounUS /ˈsɔːrtɪŋ/
an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
thundercaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
up-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the cool of his tunnel he drove up-holes and down, slugging manfully away until his round of holes was done and then shooting away the face.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading STEEL ON STEEL The stifling summer heat fetched up wind from the south and thundercaps crowned the high peaks; then the rain came slashing and struck up the dust before it lifted and went scurrying away.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The lizards gasped for breath, Drusilla ceased to sing, all Pinal seemed to palpitate with heat; but through heat and rain one song kept on--Denver's song of steel on steel.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was down on his knees, a single-jack in his right hand a pile of quartzite at his left, and as she came to the forks he went on cracking rocks without so much as a stare.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As the sun sank low he sat on the dump, sorting and sacking the best of his ore; and one evening as he worked Drusilla came by, walking slowly as if in deep thought.
