used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
(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 DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
consultationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəlˈteɪʃən/
a conference (usually with someone important)
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
the act of discovering something
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
inclinenounUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪn/
an elevated geological formation
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
midwayadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdweɪ/
equally distant from the extremes
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
not any; not one
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
overcoatsnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊts/
plural of “overcoat” — a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
overflowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈfloʊd/
past form of “overflow” — flow or run over (a limit or brim)
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
a course of conduct
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
retreatednounUS /riˈtriːtəd/
people who have retreated
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
shedsnounUS /ʃedz/
plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
snowsnounUS /snoʊz/
plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
the season of growth
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
tractnounUS /trækt/
an extended area of land
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
tumble-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading This unexpected discovery was so startling that they retreated below the bank for consultation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
directed up
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
precisely as stated
From this reading The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
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 The top of the mountain beyond the southern wall was about half the area of their own plateau, and, to the consternation of the three soldiers, in the very center of the tract stood a log house flanked by some tumble-down sheds.
walledverbUS /wɔːld/
past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
watercoursenoun
natural or artificial channel through which water flows
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
at the time that
From this reading It was at first a narrow ledge, and then the dry bed of a watercourse, which overflowed for a few days when the snows melted in the spring, and was walled in by an outer ledge, and turned upward at an easy incline which offered no serious obstacle to the progress of the explorers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
wipedverbUS /waɪpt/
past form of “wipe” — rub with a circular motion
From this reading The soldiers halted midway, and took off their oppressive overcoats and wiped their red faces.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE The path up which the three soldiers were climbing was not a path at all in the sense of its having been worn by the feet of men or animals.
