used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
altitudesnounUS /ˈæltɪtuːdz/
plural of “altitude” — elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
CappedadjectiveUS /kæpt/
used especially of front teeth having (artificial) crowns
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
CASCADA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
without doubt or question
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
Coronado
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
crevassenounUS /krəˈvæs/
a deep fissure
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
well in the past; former
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
driftsnounUS /drɪfts/
plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
eaglesnounUS /ˈiːɡəlz/
plural of “eagle” — any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
etchedadjectiveUS /etʃt/
cut or impressed into a surface
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
divisible by two
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
the organ of sight
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
felsparnoun
any of a group of hard crystalline minerals that consist of aluminum silicates of potassium or sodium or calcium or barium
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
flanksnounUS /flæŋks/
plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
followersnounUS /ˈfɑːloʊərz/
a group of followers or enthusiasts
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
forestsnounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/
plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
gloriesnounUS /ˈɡlɔːriz/
plural of “glory” — a state of high honor
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
grizzlynounUS /ˈɡrɪzli/
powerful brownish-yellow bear of the uplands of western North America
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
hatchverbUS /hætʃ/
emerge from the eggs
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
headyadjectiveUS /ˈhedi/
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
a sacred place of pilgrimage
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
lethargynounUS /ˈleθərdʒi/
a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
lobo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
march in a procession
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
nestingverbUS /ˈnestɪŋ/
-ing form of “nest” — inhabit a nest, usually after building
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
not any; not one
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
outspreadadjective
fully extended in width
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
PeaksnounUS /piːks/
plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
queensnounUS /kwiːnz/
a borough of New York City
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
robedadjectiveUS /roʊbd/
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
RockiesnounUS /ˈrɑːkiz/
the chief mountain range of western North America; extends from British Columbia to northern New Mexico; forms the continental divide
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
soaredverbUS /sɔːrd/
past form of “soar” — rise rapidly
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
SpartanadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrtən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Sparta or its people
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
not in physical motion
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
move an implement through
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
possessing sweep
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But there was no eye to see the glories outspread before these sister queens of the Rockies.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The grizzly of the Holy Ghost would not stir from his deep cave and still deeper lethargy for another month, and it was too far above timber line for the lobo and his followers to find food.
toweringadjectiveUS /ˈtaʊərɪŋ/
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
From this reading A CABIN ON THE CASCADA Capped in snow, their flanks of felspar rock robed in glistening drifts, the Coronado Peaks swept to towering altitudes above the dark green of the forests.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
in or at the place that
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Keen, fresh, heady as wine, was the air in those high places, and each minute crevasse, each ridge, was etched clearly in the sparkling winter sunlight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The eagles which soared above them through the blue of summer had departed to lower altitudes with the first icy breath of winter, and even now were nesting in canyon crags, where as early as March their Spartan young would hatch.
