Chapter XXVII

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

later than; following

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading "And what might that be?" questioned the Professor.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

made known or openly avowed

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

relating to or derived from a glacier

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

plural of “gnat” — any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

cooking by direct exposure to radiant heat (as over a fire or under a grill)

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

the activity of transporting goods by truck

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

and nothing more

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

inadequate in amount or degree

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

immediately past

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

the greatest possible degree of something

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

engage in

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "And what might that be?" questioned the Professor.

plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

according to the clock

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

and nothing more

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading "And what might that be?" questioned the Professor.

past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading "And what might that be?" questioned the Professor.

the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

for a short time

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous

From this reading "Snakes!"

depleted of energy, force, or strength

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

a special situation

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

the upper part of anything

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

up to a particular time

From this reading A SIGN FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP The surprise did not come until just before night closed in, shortly after ten o'clock that night.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "And what might that be?" questioned the Professor.

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

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.

during the time that

From this reading "There is only one thing lacking to make this country the limit," declared Stacy after they had made camp and settled down to warm themselves while the guide was getting supper.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A hard, grilling day had been spent on the trail, with little relief from their labors, which were divided between hauling the ponies up dangerous slopes, down almost sheer walls, across glacial streams cold as ice, and last but not least the fighting of giant mosquitoes and black gnats.