Chapter XXI

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

next to; at the side of

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a hat tied under the chin

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

marked by continuous change or effective action

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

any of various ornamental climbing plants of the genus Clematis usually having showy flowers

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

plural of “cottonwood” — any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

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

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

wood of any of various cypress trees especially of the genus Cupressus

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

give pleasure to or be pleasing to

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

let fall to the ground

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

go or come after and bring or take back

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

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

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

like down or as soft as down

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

United States film maker (1896-1973)

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

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

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

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

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

appealing to the emotions as well as the eye

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

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

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

flat tableland with steep edges

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

past form of “nest” — inhabit a nest, usually after building

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

not any; not one

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

and nothing more

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

very light colored; highly diluted with white

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

filled with shade

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

marked by ostentation but often tasteless

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

plural of “straw” — plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

short and blunt

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

inferior in size or quality

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

the second largest state; located in southwestern United States on the Gulf of Mexico

From this reading The Texas home had never offered such a lovely retreat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

leather strip that forms the flexible part of a whip

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.

bristling with perplexities

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

common European perennial having showy yellow and orange flowers; a naturalized weed in North America

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

past form of “whisk” — move somewhere quickly

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

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

From this reading There, the arid _mesa_ had grown thorny mesquite, scraggled cypress, or stunted live-oak for a shade; sand had whirled ceaselessly before a high, hot wind; no flowers had bloomed but the pale toadflax and the prickly-pear; and beside the salt lakes of that almost waterless waste had nested only the vulture.

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

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then, with folded hands, she looked up and around her, sniffing the warm air in delight.

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading A MEETING BY THE FORD Under the cottonwoods that shadowed the landing-place, the clematis trailed its tufts of fluffy grey; a cluster of wind-flowers nodded, winking their showy blue eyes; birds whisked about to fetch straws and scraps for their building; and the grass, bright green, but stubby, wore a changing spatterwork of sun and leaf.

a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones

From this reading Marylyn let drop her bonnet and the cow-horn that hung by a thong to her wrist.