used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
alluvialadjectiveUS /ˌæˈluːviəl/
of or relating to alluvium
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
Archibald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
clearings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
contentedlyadverbUS /kənˈtentədli/
with equanimity
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading And now Lyndsay laughed, and Rose, curious, inquired why.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
Gaspé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
hardiestadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdiəst/
superlative of “hardy” — having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
hornetsnounUS /ˈhɔːrnəts/
plural of “hornet” — large stinging paper wasp
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading And now Lyndsay laughed, and Rose, curious, inquired why.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
immediately past
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading And now Lyndsay laughed, and Rose, curious, inquired why.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
Lyndsay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now Lyndsay laughed, and Rose, curious, inquired why.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
richlyadverbUS /ˈrɪtʃli/
to an ample degree or in an ample manner
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I was thinking of the boys”; and he told her of the hornets’ nest.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As they went on, the hills were more abrupt and closer to the river, or precipitous past the power of the hardiest pines to find more than here and there a foothold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
a Caucasian
From this reading They were contentedly quiet for an hour or more, and at last left behind them the island camp and its white tents, and then the last of the clearings and the lower alluvial meadows with their richly feathered elms.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading And now Lyndsay laughed, and Rose, curious, inquired why.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The light Gaspé canoe sped away up stream close to the shores, with Archibald Lyndsay and Rose.
