used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
(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 THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
bunknounUS /bʌŋk/
a long trough for feeding cattle
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
coulees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
cracksnounUS /kræks/
plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
discouragedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɜːrədʒd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
DisheartenedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈhɑːrtənd/
made less hopeful or enthusiastic
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
dispossessedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪspəˈzest/
physically or spiritually homeless or deprived of security
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
doggedadjectiveUS /dɔːɡd/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading She rode, now, with a sort of dogged persistence.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
take in solid food
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
fissuresnounUS /ˈfɪʃərz/
plural of “fissure” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
a young female
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
herdernounUS /ˈherdər/
German philosopher who advocated intuition over reason (1744-1803)
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
hopelessnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpləsnəs/
the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
ledgesnounUS /ˈledʒɪz/
plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
lengthsnounUS /leŋkθs/
plural of “length” — the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
magazinesnounUS /ˈmæɡəziːnz/
plural of “magazine” — a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
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 Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
methodicallyadverbUS /məˈθɑːdɪkəli/
in a methodical manner
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She rode, now, with a sort of dogged persistence.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
on one occasion
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
OUTDOORSadverbUS /ˈaʊtˈdɔːrz/
outside a building
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
persistencenounUS /pərˈsɪstəns/
the property of a continuous and connected period of time
From this reading She rode, now, with a sort of dogged persistence.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
ravinesnounUS /rəˈviːnz/
plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading She rode, now, with a sort of dogged persistence.
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
SinclairnounUS /sɪnˈkler/
United States writer whose novels argued for social reform (1878-1968)
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading She rode, now, with a sort of dogged persistence.
sourcesnounUS /ˈsɔːrsəz/
plural of “source” — the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading But not once did she find a ledge that could by any stretch of the imagination be regarded as the ledge of the photograph.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
propel through the air
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
thumbedadjectiveUS /θʌmd/
(of pages) worn or soiled by thumb and fingers by frequent handling or turning
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
tortuousadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃəwəs/
highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE BISHOP OF ALL OUTDOORS The days slipped into weeks, as Patty Sinclair, carefully and methodically traced valleys to their sources, and explored innumerable coulees and ravines that twisted and turned their tortuous lengths into the very heart of the hills.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Rock ledges without number she scanned, many with deep cracks and fissures, and many without them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Disheartened, but not discouraged, the girl would return each evening to her solitary cabin, eat her solitary meal, and throw herself upon her bunk to brood over the apparent hopelessness of her enterprise, or to read from the thumbed and tattered magazines of the dispossessed sheep herder.
