used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
dark-blueadjective
of a dark shade of blue
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
without deviation
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
set up or found
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
glimmeringnounUS /ˈɡlɪmərɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
immediately past
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
held up in the air
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
set afire or burning
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
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 A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
not in physical motion
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
opaqueadjectiveUS /oʊˈpeɪk/
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
profilenounUS /ˈproʊfaɪl/
an analysis (often in graphical form) representing the extent to which something exhibits various characteristics
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
with speed
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
cut with a saw
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
semi-circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
steelyadjectiveUS /ˈstiːli/
resembling steel as in hardness
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
not in physical motion
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
terminatedadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪtɪd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading People were stirring round them, shadows hovered, and sometimes the front of a little curly head was lighted up by the glow.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading I quickly drew back my lifted foot, and through the almost opaque darkness I saw far below me a vast plain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A long river skirted it in a semi-circle, turned away from me; its course was marked by the steely reflection of the water still faintly glimmering here and there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
in or at the place that
From this reading I found out at last where I had got to.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
belonging to which person
From this reading The hill on which I found myself terminated abruptly in an almost overhanging precipice, whose gigantic profile stood out black against the dark-blue waste of sky, and directly below me, in the corner formed by this precipice and the plain near the river, which was there a dark, motionless mirror, under the lee of the hill, two fires side by side were smoking and throwing up red flames.
