used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
applyverbUS /əˈplaɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST VENTURE.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
gildingnounUS /ˈɡɪldɪŋ/
a coating of gold or of something that looks like gold
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
the act of giving
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
a quick look
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
habitationnounUS /ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən/
the native habitat or home of an animal or plant
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
hollowedverbUS /ˈhɑːloʊd/
past form of “hollow” — remove the inner part or the core of
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
immediately past
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
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 So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
not any; not one
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
occupancynounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənsi/
an act of being a tenant or occupant
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
persuasiveadjectiveUS /pərˈsweɪsɪv/
intended or having the power to induce action or belief
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
compacted by ironing
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
uttered with a trill
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
except for; apart from
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
shacksnounUS /ʃæks/
plural of “shack” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST VENTURE.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading THE FIRST VENTURE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As we went on, this valley opened more and more, changing from a rough and precipitous aspect to one smooth and rolling, giving promise of human occupancy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
belonging to which person
From this reading WE turned our faces westward toward the sun, whose last rays were gilding the clouds along the horizon, following the little valley which had been hollowed in the hills by the stream at which we had drunk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our most urgent need was food, and I determined to apply for it at the first house we came to, no matter what its appearance,--first with silver, and if that failed, with a loaded pistol as a persuasive.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading So I kept a sharp lookout, but for nearly an hour we pressed forward without catching a glimpse of any human habitation save a few shacks long since deserted and falling to decay.
