Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

-ing form of “bask” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

free from clouds

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

having a pattern of dots

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

spectators at a golf or tennis match

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

proceeding in small stages

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading "Have you seen Ruth Hamlin lately, Kane?"

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Have you seen Ruth Hamlin lately, Kane?"

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She smiled at him.

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

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

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

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

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

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

in the recent past

From this reading "Have you seen Ruth Hamlin lately, Kane?"

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

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

and nothing more

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

above and across; more than

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

move upward

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)

From this reading "Have you seen Ruth Hamlin lately, Kane?"

a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

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

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading She smiled at him.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure

From this reading She smiled at him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the rays of the sun

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

possessing sweep

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

a tart spicy quality

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

used of high or hilly country

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

a person who has never had sex

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading The first tang of autumn was in the sage-scented breeze that swept the county, and the tawny valley, basking in the warm sunlight that came down from a cloudless sky, showed its rugged beauty to advantage.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

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

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

having wheels; often used in combination

From this reading Kane Lawler paused at the edge of the gallery and filled his lungs from the sage-laden breeze, and then wheeled to face his mother.

belonging to which person

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading There were fifty thousand acres within view of the ranchhouse--virgin grass land dotted with sage, running over a wide level, into little hills, and so on to an upland whose rise was so gradual that it could be seen only from a distance, best from the gallery of the ranchhouse.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Have you seen Ruth Hamlin lately, Kane?"