Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

-ing form of “abandon” — forsake, leave behind

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

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

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

moving or going or growing upward

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

not in a state of sleep; completely conscious

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

marked by strong resentment or cynicism

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

bedding that keeps a person warm in bed

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

a strong flame that burns brightly

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

put or send forth

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

having the form of a column

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

placed crosswise

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

flow in a circular current, of liquids

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

so thin as to transmit light

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

by good fortune

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

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

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

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

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

undertake a journey or trip

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

immediately past

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

plural of “level” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

a fabric woven with lisle thread

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

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

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

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

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

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

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

plural of “settlement” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

protected from danger or bad weather

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

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

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading MILLICENT GLADWYNE In a few more days they left the river, abandoning the canoe and tent and a portion of their gear.

without force or sincere effort

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

furnished with or made of wood or timbers

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

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

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

having come into contact

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

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

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

at the time that

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

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

From this reading Ascending to higher levels, they crossed a rugged waste, which, fortunately for them, was thinly timbered; but there was keen frost, and snow in places, and Nasmyth suffered a good deal during this portion of the journey.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.

in the company of; together with

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading At last, however, they descended to a sheltered valley in which the firs grew tall, and Jake agreed with Lisle that it would form the best road to the settlements.

covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak

From this reading Nasmyth was longing for civilization when he lay awake late one night, wrapped in a single blanket, beside the sinking fire.

plural of “wreath” — flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes

From this reading Dark columnar trunks rose about him, touched with the uncertain red radiance now and then cast upon them when little puffs of bitter wind stirred the blaze, and he could see the filmy wreaths of smoke eddy among the branches.