Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

(of a current) reversing direction

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

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

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

past form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

preventing entry or exit or a course of action

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

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

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

a blemish made by dirt

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

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

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

an orange of low brightness and saturation

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

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

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

having or expressing dignity; especially formality or stateliness in bearing or appearance

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

having or given a form or shape

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

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

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

worn away or tattered along the edges

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

a zealously energetic person (especially a salesman)

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

a work produced by hand labor

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

in a wasteful manner

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

of or relating to lines of longitude

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

in a northern direction

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

a treeless grassy plain

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

strong and sharp

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

very clearly delineated

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

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

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

necrotic tissue; a mortified or gangrenous part or mass

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

plural of “square” — (geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

act of expanding by lengthening or widening

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

V-shaped sleeve badge indicating military rank and service

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

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

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

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

From this reading The log cabin of Settler Rowland, as a landmark, stood forth.

the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

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

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

not given to gentleness or sentimentality

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

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

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading Sole example of the handiwork of man, it crowned one of the innumerable rises, too low to be dignified by the name of hill, that stretched from sky to sky like the miniature waves on the surface of a shallow lake.

made heavy or weighted down with weariness

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

a Caucasian

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.

(of hair) having lost its color

From this reading Back of it, stretching northward, a vivid green blot, lay a field of sod corn: the ears already formed, the ground whitened from the lavishly scattered pollen of the frayed tassels.

lean and sinewy

From this reading Long wiry slough grass, razor-sharp as to blades, pungent under rain, weighted by squares of tough, native sod, thatched the roof.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Barred it was--the white of barked cotton-wood timber alternating with the brown of earth that filled the spaces between--like the longitudinal stripes of a prairie gopher or on the back of a bob-white.