Chapter XV

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

later than; following

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

from appearances alone

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

the act of obstructing or deflecting someone's movements

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

the lower side of anything

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

lacking a visible order or organization

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

a sudden uncontrollable attack

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a body serving in an administrative capacity

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

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

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a small wooded hollow

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

command with authority

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

being one more than seven

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

one or the other of two

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

divisible by two

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

a wide scope

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

having dropped by the force of gravity

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

a long narrow depression in a surface

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

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

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

provided with artificial light

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

of great significance or value

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

set afire

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

be a lodger; stay temporarily

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

the common people generally

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

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

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

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

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a member of the Iroquoian people formerly living east of Lake Ontario

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

go across or through

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

unusual or striking

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

inflected form of “rive” — tear or be torn violently

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

socially incorrect in behavior

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

Identical; not different.

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

-ing form of “separate” — act as a barrier between; stand between

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

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

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

closely encircling

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

causing fear or dread or terror

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

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

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

the upper part of anything

From this reading Their council fire had been kindled on the top of a large, flat mass of stone, fallen from the high rocks of a very narrow dell or pass separating a rugged and forest-bearing mountain from a spur of the same range, which seemed to have been riven off from the parent chain by some rude and terrible convulsion of nature.

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading The place they took for their meeting lay nearly twenty miles in a direct line from the Oneida Lake, and was, even in the daylight, a scene of remarkable beauty and grandeur.

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

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

precisely as stated

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

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

From this reading At the hour of their meeting, however, which was about forty minutes after the sun went down, the surrounding objects were illuminated by a different and more appropriate light.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

superlative of “wide” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.

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

From this reading On the very same night which was passed by Edith Prevost in the lodge of the Black Eagle, some eight or ten wild-looking savages, if they could be so called, assembled, apparently to deliberate upon a great and important question.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading Forty yards, at the widest part, was the expanse of this fissure, and on either side were huge masses of rock tumbled about in chaotic confusion, and blocking up the greater part of the bottom of the dell.