Chapter XXXII · Chapter 32

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

lacking protection or support

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

inflected form of “dot” — scatter or intersperse like dots or studs

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

either of two low shelters on either side of a baseball diamond where the players and coaches sit during the game

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

one or the other of two

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

grass mowed and cured for use as fodder

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

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 Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

not one, and not any

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

plural of “shack” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

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

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

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

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

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

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

sit on one's heels

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

a large number or amount

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Yet each building, squat or tall, small or less small, was none the less a home.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

not unfriendly or threatening

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

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

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

being of use or service

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Fences and fields appeared, and low stacks of hay and straw here and there stood up above the vast gray surface of the old buffalo and cattle range.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading Dotting a stretch of country thirty miles on either side of the railway, and extending as far to the east and west along its line, there were scattered hundreds of homes, though often these were separated one from the other by many miles of open prairie.

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

From this reading THE GREAT COLD The land lay trusting and defenceless under a cynical sky, which was unthreatening but mocking.

during the time that

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.

but in spite of that

From this reading Some of these houses were board "shacks," while others were of sods, and yet others, these among the earliest established on the plains, the useful dugout, half above and half beneath the ground.