Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

a person's social heritage: previous experience or training

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

to strive with determination

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

neat and smart in appearance

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

free from clouds

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

having a dun color

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

opinion or judgment

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

covered with water

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

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

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

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

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

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

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

lowest in rank or importance

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

a coniferous tree

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

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

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

cut with a saw

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

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

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

make square

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

not in physical motion

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

past form of “tack” — fasten with tacks

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

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

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

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

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

often used as intensifiers

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

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

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

at the time that

From this reading When the man, mounted on a lean, dun-colored horse, first looked up at a turn of the narrow trail and saw the sign, he grunted.

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

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.

during the time that

From this reading The sign on the tree attracted the man's attention while he was still far down the slope.

a Caucasian

From this reading He could see the tall pine on the crest of the ridge above a veritable landmark in that country of stunted timber, and the square of paper, tacked to its trunk under the lowest branches, gleamed white against the background of vivid green.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then he frowned and looked back along the way he had come with a glowing light of reflection in his gray eyes.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The air was clear, and every detail of the landscape--the red rocks, the saffron-colored slopes, the green pines and firs and buck brush, the white cliffs--everything within sight for miles stood out, clean-cut in the brilliant sunshine which flooded the empty land under a cloudless sky.