Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

plural of “alternative” — one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.

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

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

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

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

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

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

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

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

formed or made thin by hammering

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

travel across or pass over

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

provide as food

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

belonging to the past; of what is important or famous in the past

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

a university town in southeast Wyoming

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

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

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Before us now lay two alternatives.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

a state in northwestern United States on the Pacific

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

above and across; more than

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

the largest ocean in the world

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

by chance

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

a river in Nebraska that flows eastward to become a tributary of the Missouri River

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

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

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

the act of physically reaching or thrusting out

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

comparative of “safe” — free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

not in physical motion

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

carry out

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

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

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

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

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

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

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We could go up the beaten road to Laramie, or we could cross here and take an old trail on the north side of the river for a time.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Between these two ran the Oregon Trail, pointing the way to the Pacific, and on this trail, somewhere to the west, lay Laramie.

toward the west

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

in or at the place that

From this reading MANDY McGOVERN ON MARRIAGE Our slow travel finally brought us near to the historic forks of the Platte where that shallow stream stretches out two arms, one running to the mountains far to the south, the other still reaching westward for a time.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Auberry thought this latter would give better feed and water, and perhaps be safer as to Indians, so we held a little council over it.