Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

a transparent purple variety of quartz; used as a gemstone

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

a shaft on which a wheel rotates

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

take exception to

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

a steep rugged rock or cliff

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

overfilled or compacted or concentrated

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

moving toward the east

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

plural of “exhaust” — gases ejected from an engine as waste products

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

with no protection or shield

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

opinion or judgment

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

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

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

a long fixed look

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

the largest or most massive thing of its kind

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

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

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

the act of making and recording a measurement

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

above and across; more than

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

go across or through

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

plural of “pyramid” — a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

deeply affected or marked by mental or physical pain or injury

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

the act of searching for something

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

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

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

sharp piercing cry

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

-ing form of “tilt” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading SNOQUALMIE PASS AND A BROKEN AXLE Tisdale leaned forward in his seat in the observation car.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

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

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

during the time that

From this reading It crept along a tilting shelf, rounded a sheer spur, and ran shrieking over a succession of trestles, while the noise of the exhausts rang a continuous challenge from shoulder and crag.

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

From this reading The eastbound began to wind and lift like a leviathan seeking a way through.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Scarred buttes crowded the track; great firs, clinging with exposed roots to the bluffs, leaned in menace, and above the timber belt granite pyramids and fingers shone amethyst against the sky; then a giant door closed on this vestibule of the Pass, and he was in an amphitheatre of lofty peaks.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading His rugged features worked a little, and his eyes had their far-sighted gaze.