Chapter XV

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

From this reading A WINTER IN SAN JUAN.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

later than; following

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

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

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

from appearances alone

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

traveling across

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

not to your liking

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

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

From this reading A WINTER IN SAN JUAN.

plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

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

From this reading A WINTER IN SAN JUAN.

immediately past

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

changed from a solid to a liquid state

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

used to form the superlative

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

the condition of being essential or indispensable

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

owed as a debt

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction)

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

established beyond doubt

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

not used up

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

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

From this reading A WINTER IN SAN JUAN.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

in the near future

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

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

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

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

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

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

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

up to a particular time

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

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

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The apparently settled weather that greeted me was but the precursor of most severe storms in the mountains.

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

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

covered or soaked with a liquid such as water

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

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

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

which person or people

From this reading As soon as I arrived at San Juan, I made inquiries for parties who were about crossing the mountains; but owing to a most severe snow storm that set in, the clouds of which were plainly visible from the town, I was forced to the disagreeable necessity of remaining until the snows melted.

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

From this reading A WINTER IN SAN JUAN.

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

From this reading They said that after ten dry or mild winters there always succeeded a similar number of wet or severe seasons, and that the present was the first of the hard series.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.

a late time of life

From this reading The people told me that the winter had proved to be the most severe of any season within the last thirty years.