Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

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

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

plural of “aspen” — any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

loud cries made while weeping

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

plural of “calf” — young of domestic cattle

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

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

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “colt” — a young male horse under the age of four

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

plural of “dome” — a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

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

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

reflecting light

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

the phenomenon of vitality and freshness being restored

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

any of various leafy plants or their leaves and stems eaten as vegetables

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

advanced in complexity or elaboration

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

plural of “hillside” — the side or slope of a hill

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

past form of “kick” — drive or propel with the foot

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

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 The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

the cloak as a symbol of authority

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

plural of “mustang” — small hardy range horse of the western plains descended from horses brought by the Spanish

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

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

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “pasture” — a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

past form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

(of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “slide” — a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

past form of “snort” — indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

the season of growth

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

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

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

very small

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading The mustangs and colts in the pastures snorted and ran and kicked and cavorted; and on the hillsides the cows began to climb higher, searching for the tender greens, bawling for the new-born calves.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading The long stone slides were glistening wet, and the brooks ran full-banked, noisy and turbulent and roily.

during the time that

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

a Caucasian

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.

plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

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

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Soft and fresh of color the gray old sage slopes came out from under their winter mantle; the bleached tufts of grass waved in the wind and showed tiny blades of green at the roots; the aspens and oaks, and the vines on fences and cliffs, and the round-clumped, brook-bordering willows took on a hue of spring.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading Spring came early that year at White Slides Ranch.

but in spite of that

From this reading The snow melted off the valleys, and the wild flowers peeped from the greening grass while yet the mountain domes were white.