Chapter I

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

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

a state of extreme confusion and disorder

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

past form of “displace” — cause to move, usually with force or pressure

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

improved or corrected by critical editing

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

the expensive white fur of the ermine

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

plural of “evergreen” — a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

ludicrously odd

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

possessive form of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

in a gradual manner

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

possessive form of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

wood of a larch tree

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

of less size or importance

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

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

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

for the most time

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

plural of “moss” — tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

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

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

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

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

having or covered with or abounding in plumes

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

plural of “prairie” — a treeless grassy plain

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

the chief mountain range of western North America; extends from British Columbia to northern New Mexico; forms the continental divide

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

clean with hard rubbing

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

marked by the presence of snow

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

not dense

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

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

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

be standing; be upright

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

comparative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

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

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

in the direction of

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading AUTHOR OF "PRAIRIE FLOWER," "THE TREASURE OF PEARLS," "PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES," &c., &c.

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

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Around us the lesser pinnacles hold up heads as fantastic in shape as an Indian's plumed for battle, and, below a little, diamonds of ice deck the snowy ermine of the colossal giant's robe.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

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

From this reading Far beneath, the mosses are grown upon by sparse grasses, and they by scrub evergreens, gradually displaced in the descent to the warm alcoved valleys by taller and taller pines, spruce, larch, and cedar.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.

United States country singer and songwriter (1923-1953)

From this reading (Translation by Henry Llewellyn Williams - edited by: Percy B. St John.)

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

From this reading We stand on the loftiest peak of the Big Wind River Mountains, that highest and longest chain of the Northern Rockies, a chaos of granite fifteen thousand feet towards the firmament from the sea.