used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Progress in the West was very slow--almost at a standstill.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
CLIMAXnounUS /ˈklaɪmæks/
the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
editorsnounUS /ˈedɪtərz/
plural of “editor” — a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
in or to another place
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
Foss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
infancynounUS /ˈɪnfənsi/
the early stage of growth or development
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
not any; not one
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Progress in the West was very slow--almost at a standstill.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
ranchesnounUS /ˈræntʃəz/
plural of “ranch” — farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
SettlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Progress in the West was very slow--almost at a standstill.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading Progress in the West was very slow--almost at a standstill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was brought into existence by the neighborhood of one or two large ranches; these ranches employed considerable labor.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
precisely as stated
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Progress in the West was very slow--almost at a standstill.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH MATTERS REACH A CLIMAX Foss River Settlement was, at the time, a very small place, and of practically no importance.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The newspapers of the Western cities were in their infancy, and contented themselves with the news of their own towns and feverish criticisms of politics which were beyond the understanding of their editors.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Foss River might be visited by an earthquake, and, provided the earthquake was not felt elsewhere, the world would not be likely to hear of it for weeks.
