Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

in the past

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

form a curve

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

the first light of day

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a person who is older than you are

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

opinion or judgment

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a flash of light (especially reflected light)

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

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

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

commodities (goods or services) bought from a foreign country

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

time without end

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

immediately past

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

having or showing great strength or force or intensity

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

any amazing or wonderful occurrence

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

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

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

on one occasion

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?

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

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

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

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

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

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

coming next after the eleventh and just before the thirteenth in position

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty-six and one

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

fill with high spirits; fill with optimism

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.

at the time that

From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

which person or people

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

(politics) a state of disfavor

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

in the company of; together with

From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

past form of “worship” — love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

a late time of life

From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?