adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
armsnounUS /ɑːrmz/
weapons considered collectively
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
arrivalnounUS /ərˈaɪvəl/
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
babenounUS /beɪb/
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
bareadjectiveUS /ber/
completely unclothed
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
circumstancenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
coachesnounUS /ˈkoʊtʃɪz/
plural of “coach” — (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
colorlessadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərləs/
lacking in variety and interest
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
consignmentnounUS /kənˈsaɪnmənt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
consummatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəmeɪtəd/
brought to completion
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
Corblay's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
dailyadverbUS /ˈdeɪli/
every day; without missing a day
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
desirenounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
disappearingnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrɪŋ/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
DonnanounUS /ˈdɑːnə/
an Italian woman of rank
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
eventnounUS /ɪˈvent/
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
grimadjectiveUS /ɡrɪm/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
heraldsnounUS /ˈherəldz/
plural of “herald” — (formal) a person who announces important news
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
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 To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
longingnounUS /ˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
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 From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
mediocreadjectiveUS /ˌmiːdiˈoʊkər/
moderate to inferior in quality
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
northwardadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
obsessionnounUS /əbˈseʃən/
an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
Pasqual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
PassverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
passionateadjectiveUS /ˈpæʃənət/
having or expressing strong emotions
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
poignantadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
arousing affect
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
pulsations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
rangenounUS /reɪndʒ/
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
secondnounUS /ˈsekənd/
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
sky-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
stringsnounUS /strɪŋz/
the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
Tehachapi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For the first time since her arrival in San Pasqual, a babe in arms, she was about to leave it!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
tracingnounUS /ˈtreɪsɪŋ/
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
uneventfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌniˈventfəl/
marked by no noteworthy or significant events
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All of her uneventful colorless mediocre life Donna had felt a passionate longing to go up into the country on the other side of the range.
volcanicadjectiveUS /vɑːlˈkænɪk/
relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
waftedverbUS /ˈwɑːftɪd/
past form of “waft” — be driven or carried along, as by the air
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second event in Donna Corblay's life was about to be consummated.
watchedverbUS /wɑːtʃt/
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading To her, the long strings of passenger coaches came to San Pasqual as the heralds of another world--poignant pulsations of the greater life beyond the sky-line, and not as the tools of a whimsical circumstance, bringing to Donna a daily consignment of hats.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading From earliest childhood she had watched the trains disappearing into Tehachapi Pass, tracing their progress northward long after they had disappeared by the smoke wafted over the crest of the bare volcanic range; until with the passage of many trains and many years the desire to see what lay beyond that grim barrier had developed into an obsession.
