Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

moving forward

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

Having no one else present.

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the highest point (of something)

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

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

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

past form of “discolor” — lose color or turn colorless

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

something with a round shape resembling a flat circular plate

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

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

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

start firing a weapon

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

brought together in one place

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

the property of being comparatively great in weight

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

making a strong or vivid impression

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

advancing in amount or intensity

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

a field of cultivated and mowed grass

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

horrible in fierceness or savagery

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

for an instant or moment

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

a form of address for a married woman

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

and nothing more

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

a public square with room for pedestrians

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

concerned with religion or religious purposes

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

something reduced to its minimal form

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

the act of smoking tobacco or other substances

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

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

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

plural of “tragedy” — an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

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

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

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

From this reading Through this lurid fire and smoke the full moon was rising, its silver disk discolored and partially obscured.

look attentively

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading In the meantime the fire had fully reached the summit, on which stood a large dry tree, and it had become a skeleton of flame.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

belonging to which person

From this reading Advancing from the southwest, up the star-lit sky, which the moon was brightening momentarily, was a cloud whose blackness and heaviness the vivid lightning made only the more apparent.

in the company of; together with

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading This scene alone, as we gathered on the piazza and lawn below it, might well have filled us with awe and wonder; but a more impressive combination was forming.

the words that are spoken

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.

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

From this reading ONE OF NATURE'S TRAGEDIES I had been so interested in Mrs. Yocomb's words, their effect on the little group around her, and the whole sacred mystery of the scene, that I had ceased to watch the smoking mountain, with its increasingly lurid apex.