Chapter XXIII · Chapter 23

extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for his own use

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

plural of “activity” — any specific behavior

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

belonging to or lasting from times long ago

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

react verbally

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

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

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

take exception to

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

come or bring to a finish or an end

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

plural of “crop” — the yield from plants in a single growing season

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

in a faint and feeble manner

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading JEFFERSON WORTH GOES FOR HELP.

plural of “freighter” — a cargo ship

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

a city in south central California in the San Joaquin Valley; center of an important agricultural area and gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading JEFFERSON WORTH GOES FOR HELP.

plural of “good” — benefit

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

highest in quality

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

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

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

to a considerable degree

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading JEFFERSON WORTH GOES FOR HELP.

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

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

3rd President of the United States; chief drafter of the Declaration of Independence; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and sent out the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore it (1743-1826)

From this reading JEFFERSON WORTH GOES FOR HELP.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

doing arduous or unpleasant work

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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 freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

of an obscure nature

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

on one occasion

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

to a pitiful degree

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

to break and turn over earth especially with a plow

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

-ing form of “produce” — bring forth or yield

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

gathered for protruding fullness

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

not in physical motion

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

agitating a liquid with an implement

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

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

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

still full

From this reading The acres of land untouched by grader's Fresno or rancher's plow were many more than the acres that were producing crops.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

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

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

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

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The freighters' wagons that had once seemed so pitifully inadequate, as they crept feebly away into the mysterious silences, were replaced now by long trains, heavily loaded with building material and goods of every kind and drawn by laboring engines that puffed and roared and clanged and screamed their stirring answer to the challenge of the silent, age-old, desolate land.

past form of “witness” — be a witness to

From this reading The winter following the birth of Republic witnessed the greatest activities that had been seen in the new country.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value

From this reading JEFFERSON WORTH GOES FOR HELP.

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

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.

but in spite of that

From this reading And still the work that had been done was small in comparison with that which was yet to do before the reclamation of Barbara's Desert would be complete.