used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
AhabnounUS /ˈeɪhæb/
according to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC)
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
Ammon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
bankruptingverbUS /ˈbæŋkrʌptɪŋ/
-ing form of “bankrupt” — reduce to bankruptcy
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
crownedadjectiveUS /kraʊnd/
having an (artificial) crown on a tooth
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
Ephraim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
feeding-trough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
fignounUS /fɪɡ/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
Gilead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
husbandmannoun
a person who operates a farm
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
invertedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɜːrtɪd/
being in such a position that top and bottom are reversed
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
IsraelnounUS /ˈɪzriəl/
Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
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 The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
lordlyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːrdliː/
of or befitting a lord
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
luxuriantadjectiveUS /ləɡˈʒɜːriənt/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
Moab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
on one occasion
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
rankest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
rebukeverbUS /riˈbjuːk/
censure severely or angrily
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
renegadenounUS /ˈrenəɡeɪd/
someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
SamarianounUS /ˌseɪmərˈiːə/
an ancient city in central Palestine founded in the 9th century BC as the capital of the northern Hebrew kingdom of Israel; the site is in present-day northwestern Jordan
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
sarcophagusnounUS /sɑːrˈkɑːfəɡəs/
a stone coffin (usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions)
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The old palace of Ahab, built with bankrupting magnificence by that renegade king of Israel, had long since fallen to ruin.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
spice-embalmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
swinenounUS /swaɪn/
stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
terracedverbUS /ˈterəst/
past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
uplandsnounUS /ˈʌpləndz/
plural of “upland” — elevated (e.g., mountainous) land
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The town of Samaria crowned the hill that rises from the centre of a magnificent valley, like an inverted cup in a lordly dish.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
vineyardsnounUS /ˈvɪnjərdz/
plural of “vineyard” — a farm of grapevines where wine grapes are produced
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hard by stood a sarcophagus in which had once rested the spice-embalmed body of some fair princess, but which was now the feeding-trough for a herd of swine.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Far away to the east stand the mountain walls of Gilead and Ammon and Moab; while on the west stretch the uplands of Ephraim and the gleaming waters of the Great Sea.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The nearer hills, terraced into gigantic steps, and ordinarily luxuriant with vineyards and fig gardens, were now covered with rankest vegetation of wild growth, at once nature's rebuke and invitation to the husbandman.
