adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
agesnounUS /ˈeɪdʒəz/
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
BetweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
bottomnounUS /ˈbɑːtəm/
the lower side of anything
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
cupnounUS /kʌp/
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
Dyea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
fieldnounUS /fiːld/
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
flintyadjectiveUS /ˈflɪnti/
containing flint
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
fogsnounUS /fɔːɡz/
plural of “fog” — droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
footingnounUS /ˈfʊtɪŋ/
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
giant'snounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
possessive form of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
glaciernounUS /ˈɡleɪʃər/
a slowly moving mass of ice
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
guardnounUS /ɡɑːrd/
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
headwatersnounUS /ˈhedwɔːtərz/
plural of “headwater” — the source of a river
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
HighadjectiveUS /haɪ/
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
hillsidesnounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪdz/
plural of “hillside” — the side or slope of a hill
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
ice-caps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
leachedverbUS /liːtʃt/
past form of “leach” — cause (a liquid) to leach or percolate
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
pallidadjectiveUS /ˈpæləd/
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
punch-bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
rainsnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
ridesnounUS /raɪdz/
plural of “ride” — a journey in a vehicle (usually an automobile)
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
RivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
seamedadjective
having or joined by a seam or seams
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
sidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
snowsnounUS /snoʊz/
plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
spreadverbUS /spred/
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
springnounUS /sprɪŋ/
the season of growth
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
standsnounUS /stændz/
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
surfacesnounUS /ˈsɜːrfəsəz/
plural of “surface” — the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The headwaters of the Dyea River spring from a giant's punch-bowl.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
ThreenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
timber-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
weather-beatenadjective
tanned and coarsened from being outdoors
From this reading Between these boulders a thin carpet of moss is spread, but the slopes themselves are quite naked; they are seamed and cracked and weather-beaten, their surfaces are split and shattered from the play of the elements.
weepingadjectiveUS /ˈwiːpɪŋ/
showing sorrow
From this reading High up toward the crest of one of them rides a glacier--a pallid, weeping sentinel which stands guard for the great ice-caps beyond.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
widensverbUS /ˈwaɪdənz/
third-person singular of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
WinternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Winter snows, summer fogs and rains have washed the hillsides clean; they are leached out and they present a lifeless, forbidding front to travelers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Three miles above timber-line the valley bottom widens out into a flinty field strewn with boulders which in ages past have lost their footing on the steep hills forming the sides of the cup.
