Chapter XIX

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

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

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

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

causing a dull and steady pain

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

far away from home or one's usual surroundings

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

later than; following

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

anew

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

(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 across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

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

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the soft brown fur of the beaver

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

for the reason that

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the act of breaking something

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

object formed by a mold

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

rid of obstructions

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

straighten with a comb

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

congealed into jelly; solidified by cooling

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the state of containing nothing

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the organ of sight

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

German physicist who invented the mercury thermometer and developed the scale of temperature that bears his name (1686-1736)

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the act of making a film

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

having brief brilliant points or flashes of light

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

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

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

prudent

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

possessive form of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

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

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

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

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

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 Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

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

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

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 One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

a surface coating for ceramics or porcelain

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

the force of workers available

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the light of the Moon

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

in motion

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

above and across; more than

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

plural of “roller” — a grounder that rolls along the infield

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

reflecting optimism

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

be standing; be upright

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

waves breaking on the shore

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

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

From this reading Deep lay the snow in Kootenay.

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

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

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

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

not covered with clothing

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

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

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

at the time that

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading One could stand upon the comb of that wave, so solid was it; indeed, the Señora La Mancha had chosen the point of vantage from whence to search the trail for some sign of her husband's coming, because he was late afield after stray cattle, and it was long past supper time.

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

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

a Caucasian

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.

the direction from which the wind is coming

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading All across the prairies the great drifts were like ocean rollers frozen,--against the clumps of timber they were heaped like winter surf, around the cabin curled over to windward like a breaking wave.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The little Señora was guarded by a robe of beaver skins from her bed, but her head was uncovered, so that the moonlight caught her hair with an icy lustre, and her congealed breath was wafted back, filming over her rosy face with hoar frost.

indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration

From this reading Grey clouds were trailing across the moon, casting shadows down which might have been moving men or beasts among the timber; but when the light shone clear again on glittering frosty pines and dead white drifts, it left an aching emptiness as far as the eye could reach against the intense cold, for it was 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit.