Chapter I

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

later than; following

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

(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 For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

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

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

past form of “belch” — expel gas from the stomach

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

any of several human or animal diseases characterized by dark urine resulting from rapid breakdown of red blood cells

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

cooked in hot water

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

placed in a grave

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

plural of “burro” — small donkey used as a pack animal

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

(of hair) made tidy with a comb

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

-ing form of “curse” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

remove the dust from

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

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

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

plural of “flood” — the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

immediately past

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

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

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

plural of “pack” — a large indefinite number

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

go across or through

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

past form of “poison” — spoil as if by poison

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

plural of “rampart” — an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

plural of “saloon” — a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

fall or descend to a lower place or level

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

characterized by good substantial quality

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

plural of “spring” — the season of growth

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

past form of “suck” — draw into the mouth by creating a practical vacuum in the mouth

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

past form of “surge” — rise and move, as in waves or billows

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

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

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

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

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

not easy to believe

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

up to a particular time

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

clean with some chemical process

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

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 THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

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

From this reading For the Sink was the swallower-up of all that came from the hills and whatever it sucked in it buried beneath its sands or poisoned on its alkali flats.

in or at the place that

From this reading THE DEATH VALLEY TRAIL The heat hung like smoke above Panamint Sink, it surged up against the hills like the waves of a great sea that boiled and seethed in the sun; and the mountains that walled it in gleamed and glistened like polished jet where the light was struck back from their sides.

during the time that

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

which person or people

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It came on furiously, four burros with flat packs and an old man who ran cursing behind; and as he passed down into the Sink there was another dust in the north and a lone man followed as furiously after him.

moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion

From this reading They rose up in solid ramparts, unbelievably steep and combed clean by the sluicings of cloudbursts; and where the black canyons had belched forth their floods a broad wash spread out, writhing and twisting like a snake-track, until at last it was lost in the Sink.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet the Death Valley trail led across its level floor--thirty miles from Wild Rose Springs to Blackwater and its saloons--and while the heat danced and quivered there was a dust in the north pass and a pack-train swung round the point.