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 Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

the right to enter

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

plural of “canon” — a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field of art or philosophy

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

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

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

-ing form of “consist” — originate

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

interchangeable with “means” in the expression “by means of”

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

one or the other of two

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

past form of “explore” — inquire into

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

easily broken into small fragments or reduced to powder

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

plural of “gap” — a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

in an imperfect or faulty way

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

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

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

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 Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

plural of “nodule” — a small node

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

acid or granitic glass formed by the rapid cooling of lava without crystallization; usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

and nothing more

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

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 The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

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

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

being all around the edges; enclosing

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

not in physical motion

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

in a surprising manner

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

a region marked off for administrative or other purposes

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading Still, these bald-crested mountains, dark and forbidding as they appear from a distance, conceal and shelter in their deep gorges and clefts many a spot of great natural beauty, surprisingly picturesque, but difficult of access.

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

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

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

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

allowing light to pass through diffusely

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

a soft porous rock consisting of calcium carbonate deposited from springs rich in lime

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

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

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.

relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading The mountain ranges skirting the Rio Grande del Norte on the west, nearly opposite the town of Santa Fe, in the Territory of New Mexico, are to-day but little known.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading From the river these canons, as they are called in New Mexico, can be reached only by dint of toilsome climbing and clambering; for their western openings are either narrow gaps, or access to them is barred by colossal walls and pillars of volcanic rocks.

a Caucasian

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading The entire formation of the chain, as far as it faces the Rio Grande, is volcanic, the walls of the gorges consisting generally of a friable white or yellowish tufa containing nodules of black, translucent obsidian.

but in spite of that

From this reading The interior of the chain, the Sierra de los Valles, is as yet imperfectly explored.