used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
altitudesnounUS /ˈæltɪtuːdz/
plural of “altitude” — elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
Author'SnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
possessive form of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
blueradjectiveUS /ˈbluːər/
comparative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
CountlessadjectiveUS /ˈkaʊntləs/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
crestsnounUS /krests/
plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
CriticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
at any time
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
a state of high honor
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
gorgesnounUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəz/
plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
life-givingadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfɡɪvɪŋ/
giving or having the power to give life and spirit
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
RecognitionnounUS /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃən/
the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
richeradjectiveUS /ˈrɪtʃər/
comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
SacramentonounUS /ˌsækrəˈmentoʊ/
a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
SierranounUS /siˈerə/
a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
springtimenounUS /ˈsprɪŋtaɪm/
the season of growth
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
stubbornlyadverbUS /ˈstʌbərnli/
in a stubborn unregenerate manner
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
SuggestionsnounUS /səˈdʒestʃənz/
plural of “suggestion” — an idea that is suggested
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
sun-flood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
possessing sweep
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
SympatheticadjectiveUS /ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk/
of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains swept on and fell away upon one side until in the vague distances they sank to the monotonous level of the Sacramento Valley; down there it was already summer, and fields were hot and brown.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Never were skies bluer, never did the golden sun-flood steep the endless forest lands in richer life-giving glory.
a Caucasian
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
WildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading _A Tale of the California Wilderness_.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Ridge after ridge the mountains stretched on the other side, rising steadily, growing ever more august and mighty and rocky; on their crests across the blue gorges the snow was dazzling white and winter held stubbornly on at altitudes of seven thousand feet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With The Author'S Grateful Recognition Of His Countless Sympathetic Criticisms And Suggestions It was springtime in the California Sierra.
