used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
in the past
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
at or in the front
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
any thing at all
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
aren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
ContinentaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntəˈnentəl/
of or pertaining to or typical of Europe
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
CRAWLINGnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
someone who is a detective
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
DivideverbUS /dɪˈvaɪd/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
duplicationnounUS /ˌdjuːpləˈkeɪʃən/
a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
engineersnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪrz/
plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
at any time
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
fingernailnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərneɪl/
the nail at the end of a finger
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
set up or found
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
gradenounUS /ɡreɪd/
a body of students who are taught together
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
gradersnounUS /ˈɡreɪdərz/
plural of “grader” — a judge who assigns grades to something
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
half-dollar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
and nothing more
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
locatingnounUS /ˈloʊkeɪtɪŋ/
the act of putting something in a certain place
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
not any; not one
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
OrdinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
PandoranounUS /pænˈdɔːrə/
(Greek mythology) the first woman; created by Hephaestus on orders from Zeus who presented her to Epimetheus along with a box filled with evils
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
PEAKnounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
planenounUS /pleɪn/
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
reëstablishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
seednounUS /siːd/
a small hard fruit
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
SHALEnounUS /ʃeɪl/
a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
in an aggressive manner
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
sleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
stakenounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
stakesnounUS /steɪks/
the money risked on a gamble
From this reading On this particular morning Dick and Larry had been given a new job, namely, reëstablishing grade stakes ahead of the graders.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Look at that stake you drove a few minutes ago――it’s half drowned already!”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
toilsomely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
unstableadjectiveUS /ənˈsteɪbəl/
lacking stability or fixity or firmness
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
watermelonnounUS /ˈwɔːtərmelən/
an African melon
From this reading It was a steep canyon slope composed of the most unstable material that is ever found in the Pandora box of the great Continental Divide; a smooth, sharply inclined plane of crawling shale pouring down like a broad river from the heights above in bits from the size of a fingernail to that of a silver half-dollar, and each bit as sleek and slippery as a watermelon seed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Ordinarily, there would have been no need for this duplication of the work of the locating engineers; but the ground over which they were toilsomely making their way was anything but ordinary.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading BULL PEAK AND THE CRAWLING SHALE “I’m sure calling this stuff just about the limit, aren’t you, Larry?
