used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
alkalineadjectiveUS /ˈælkəlaɪn/
relating to or containing an alkali; having a pH greater than 7
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
in addition
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
ArcananounUS /ɑːrˈkænə/
plural of “arcanum” — information known only to a special group
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
automobilesnounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːlz/
plural of “automobile” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
for the reason that
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
burrosnounUS /ˈbɜːroʊz/
plural of “burro” — small donkey used as a pack animal
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
DELIGHTSnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
gruellingadjective
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
ten 10s
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
march in a procession
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
MosquitonounUS /məˈskiːtoʊ/
two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
arrange in a container
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
replenishedverbUS /riˈplenɪʃt/
past form of “replenish” — fill something that had previously been emptied
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/
plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
confined on all sides
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
precisely as stated
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Also, as the mountain ranch had a quantity of stores on hand, they were allowed to purchase enough to bring their supplies up to the limit of the burros’ carrying capacity.
in or at the place that
From this reading So now, over a hundred miles from the desert ranch where they had left the automobiles and at the beginning of their gruelling march to the Valley of Arcana, they were as well equipped for the ordeal as at the very start.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A carpet of dying grass surrounded the lake, near which but few trees grew, because of the strongly alkaline soil.
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/
the extent of something from side to side
From this reading Four hours from Mosquito they topped the summit of the ridge, and looked down upon a smiling lake three miles in length by one in width.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAND OF QUEER DELIGHTS THEY left Mosquito the next morning, their pack replenished with a generous supply of beef.
