used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
(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 All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
aridadjectiveUS /ˈærəd/
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
caravannounUS /ˈkærəvæn/
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
travel across or pass over
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
derivesverbUS /dərˈaɪvz/
third-person singular of “derive” — reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
desert-land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
at any time
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
felicitousadjectiveUS /fɪˈlɪsətəs/
exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
fifty-sevenadjective
being seven more than fifty
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
coins made of gold
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
ten 10s
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
iron-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/
lowest in rank or importance
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
engage in
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
the force of workers available
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
mineralsnounUS /ˈmɪnərəlz/
plural of “mineral” — solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
MojavenounUS /moʊˈhɑːvi/
a member of the North American Indian people formerly living in the Colorado river valley in Arizona and Nevada and California
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
MormonsnounUS /ˈmɔːrmənz/
church founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
used to form the superlative
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
numberingnounUS /ˈnʌmbərɪŋ/
a numbered list
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
passionsnounUS /ˈpæʃənz/
plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
perishedverbUS /ˈperɪʃt/
past form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
prospectorsnounUS /ˈprɔːspektərz/
plural of “prospector” — someone who explores an area for mineral deposits
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
try to get or reach
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/
being ten more than sixty
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
sink-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
southwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
make square
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
survivorsnounUS /sərˈvaɪvərz/
plural of “survivor” — one who lives through affliction
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading DEATH VALLEY Of the five hundred and fifty-seven thousand square miles of desert-land in the southwest Death Valley is the lowest below sea level, the most arid and desolate.
wanderersnounUS /ˈwɑːndərərz/
plural of “wanderer” — someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
at the time that
From this reading It derives its felicitous name from the earliest days of the gold strike in California, when a caravan of Mormons, numbering about seventy, struck out from Salt Lake, to cross the Mojave Desert and make a short cut to the gold fields.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All but two of these prospectors perished in the deep, iron-walled, ghastly sink-holes, which from that time became known as Death Valley.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading To seek gold and to live in the lonely waste places of the earth have been and ever will be driving passions of men.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The survivors of this fatal expedition brought news to the world that the sombre valley of death was a treasure mine of minerals; and since then hundreds of prospectors and wanderers have lost their lives there.
