Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

later than; following

From this reading Night after night it was the same--starlight and snow, fair weather and storm.

anew

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

moving with or producing or produced by vigorous agitation

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

rid of obstructions

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading Night after night it was the same--starlight and snow, fair weather and storm.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

offensively malodorous

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

gases ejected from an engine as waste products

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on Mohs scale

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

provoking horror

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

a long loud emotional utterance

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

machines or machine systems collectively

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the force of workers available

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

not any; not one

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal often considered inedible by humans

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

plural of “particle” — (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

plural of “plow” — a farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

release, as from one's grip

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

an event that repeats

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

precisely, exactly

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

Identical; not different.

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the state of being asleep

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

small or little relative to something else

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

plural of “spout” — an opening that allows the passage of liquids or grain

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

the light of the stars

From this reading Night after night it was the same--starlight and snow, fair weather and storm.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Night after night it was the same--starlight and snow, fair weather and storm.

grievously affected especially by disease

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

treat with sulphur in order to preserve

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing

From this reading Barry Houston had become a rough-bearded, tattered piece of human machinery like all the rest.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

in or at that place or location

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

plural of “tunnel” — a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars)

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Night after night it was the same--starlight and snow, fair weather and storm.

accept gladly

From this reading The same long, horrible hours, the same staggering release from labor and the welcome hardness of a sleeping spot on a wooden floor.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

in or at the place that

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

a Caucasian

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

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

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading A repetition of the foul-smelling wooden tunnels, the sulphur fumes, the gasping of stricken men.

actively engaged in paid work

From this reading It was a repetition of the first night,--the same churning of the plows, the same smaller machines working along the right of way to keep the rails clear of drifting snow and ice particles, the wind howling again and carrying the offal of the plows in gigantic spouts of dirty white high into the air, to lash and pulverize it, then swish it away to the icy valleys beneath, where drifts could do no harm, where there were no struggling crews and dogged, half-dead men.