Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

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

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

closed to traffic

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

a state at a particular time

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

crowd or pack to capacity

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

in deplorable condition

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

causing dejection

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

-ing form of “do” — engage in

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

abundantly covered or supplied with; often used in combination

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

(astronomy) the reappearance of a celestial body after an eclipse

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

to or in any or all places

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

the back of a horse

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

incapable of being passed

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court)

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

not any; not one

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

in a northern direction

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

according to the clock

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

and nothing more

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

above and across; more than

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

-ing form of “overhang” — project over

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

by chance

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

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

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

plural of “swamp” — low land that is seasonally flooded; has more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

in or at that place or location

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

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

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

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

From this reading For over a mile above the barracks it looked like one vast canal, and by nine o'clock it was utterly impassable.

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

From this reading All that day the storm raged in fury; the levee road was blocked in places by the boughs torn from overhanging trees, and here, there, and everywhere turned into a quagmire by the torrents that could find no adequate egress to the northward swamps.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

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

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading No cars were running on the dilapidated road to the "half-way house," whatever they might be doing beyond.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Cram, with a party of four, was perhaps the first.

an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)

From this reading There was only one means of communication between the garrison and the town, and that, on horseback along the crest of the levee, and people in the second-story windows of the store- and dwelling-houses along the other side of the way, driven aloft by the drenched condition of the ground floor, were surprised to see the number of times some Yankee soldier or other made the dismal trip.