used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
barbedadjectiveUS /bɑːrbd/
capable of wounding
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
placed in a grave
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
cutter-bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
recognizable; marked
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
dilapidationnoun
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
dish-wheeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
ditchnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
drunkenlyadverb
showing effects of much strong drink
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
enclosurenounUS /enˈkloʊʒər/
a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
enclose with a fence
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
fenced-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
fencesnounUS /ˈfensəz/
plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
filthyadjectiveUS /ˈfɪlθi/
disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
flumesnounUS /fluːmz/
plural of “flume” — a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
freshets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
haynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
ill-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
irrigationnounUS /ˌɪrəˈɡeɪʃən/
supplying dry land with water by means of ditches etc
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
looselyadverbUS /ˈluːsli/
in a relaxed manner; not rigid
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
manifestverbUS /ˈmænəfest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
mowingverbUS /ˈmaʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “mow” — cut with a blade or mower
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
not any; not one
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
obliteratedadjectiveUS /əˈblɪtəreɪtɪd/
reduced to nothingness
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
paralleledverbUS /ˈperəleld/
past form of “parallel” — be parallel to
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
rakeverbUS /reɪk/
move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
RANCHnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
saggedverbUS /sæɡd/
inflected form of “sag” — droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
seepagenounUS /ˈsiːpɪdʒ/
the process of seeping
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
shiftlessadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftlɪs/
lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
SinclairnounUS /sɪnˈkler/
United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
slouchilyadverb
in a slouchy manner
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
the season of growth
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
stacksnounUS /stæks/
a large number or amount
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
strungadjectiveUS /strʌŋ/
that is on a string
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The depression increased as she passed close beside the ramshackle log stable, where her horse sank to his ankles in a filthy brown seepage of mud and rotting straw before the door.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
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 A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
WATTSnounUS /wɑːts/
English poet and theologian (1674-1748)
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
weather-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
weed-choked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
in or at the place that
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Two small, slouchily built stacks of weather-stained hay occupied a fenced-off enclosure, beside which, with no attempt to protect them from the weather, stood a dish-wheeled hay rake, and a rusty mowing machine, its cutter-bar buried in weeds.
belonging to which person
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Long before she reached the buildings an air of shiftless dilapidation was manifest in the ill-lined barbed wire fences whose rotting posts sagged drunkenly upon loosely strung wire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AT THE WATTS RANCH It was with a decided feeling of depression that Patty Sinclair approached the Watts ranch.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading A dry weed-choked irrigation ditch paralleled the trail, its wooden flumes, like the fence posts, rotting where they stood, and its walls all but obliterated by the wash of spring freshets.
