used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
(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 Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
barrenadjectiveUS /ˈbærən/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
for the reason that
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
bloomnounUS /bluːm/
the organic process of bearing flowers
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
brownedadjectiveUS /braʊnd/
(of skin) deeply suntanned
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
the act of burning something
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
cottonwoodnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊd/
any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
driedadjectiveUS /draɪd/
not still wet
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
droughtnounUS /draʊt/
a shortage of rainfall
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
dugoutnounUS /ˈdʌɡaʊt/
either of two low shelters on either side of a baseball diamond where the players and coaches sit during the game
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
fertilizingverbUS /ˈfɜːrtəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “fertilize” — provide with fertilizers or add nutrients to
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
set up or found
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
furnishverbUS /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
KansasnounUS /ˈkænzəs/
a state in midwestern United States
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
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 long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
matureadjectiveUS /məˈtʃʊr/
characteristic of maturity
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/
wetness caused by water
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
not any; not one
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
and nothing more
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
pollennounUS /ˈpɑːlən/
the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
protractedadjectiveUS /proʊˈtræktɪd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
with speed
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
uttered with a trill
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
siftedverbUS /ˈsɪftɪd/
past form of “sift” — move as if through a sieve
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
silksnounUS /sɪlks/
the brightly colored garments of a jockey; emblematic of the stable
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
sod-corn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
stalksnounUS /stɔːks/
plural of “stalk” — material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
stretchesnounUS /ˈstretʃəz/
plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
confined on all sides
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
tasselledadjective
fringed or adorned with tassels
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
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 Occasionally a group of stunted cottonwood trees surrounded an equally stunted looking hut, or dugout, but the blazing sunshine had browned all to a monotonous tone in keeping with the monotonous life it represented.
uncloudedadjective
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
unwashedadjectiveUS /ənˈwɑːʃt/
of or associated with the great masses of people
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
varietynounUS /vərˈaɪəti/
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
in or to any place at all
From this reading The unclouded sun of a burning August day had driven bird and beast to shelter wherever a bit of shade could be found.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The only corn to be seen was of the variety called sod-corn, which, unwashed by rain for a full month now, had failed to mature, such stalks as had tasselled at all being as barren as the rest because the tender silks had dried too rapidly and could furnish no fertilizing moisture to the pollen which sifted down from the scanty bloom above.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The Kansas prairie afforded little refuge from sun or wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The long stretches of low rolling hills were mostly covered with short grass, now dry from a protracted season of drought.
