adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
auroranounUS /ərˈɔːrə/
the first light of day
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
breastnounUS /brest/
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
brilliantadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪljənt/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/
reduced in size or pulled together
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
dimensionsnounUS /dɪˈmenʃənz/
plural of “dimension” — the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
fainteradjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntər/
comparative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
floodnounUS /flʌd/
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/
depressingly dark
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
glownounUS /ɡloʊ/
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
growverbUS /ɡroʊ/
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
heightnounUS /haɪt/
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
HereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/
past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
lesseningnounUS /ˈlesənɪŋ/
a change downward
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
moonnounUS /muːn/
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
MOUNTAINSnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
narroweradjectiveUS /ˈneroʊər/
comparative of “narrow” — not wide
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
risingadjectiveUS /ˈraɪzɪŋ/
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
rushverbUS /rʌʃ/
move hurridly
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
sidesnounUS /saɪdz/
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
steepernounUS /ˈstiːpər/
a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
SWEEPINGadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
swiftlyadverbUS /ˈswɪftli/
in a swift manner
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
tenthnounUS /tenθ/
a tenth part; one part in ten equal parts
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
TORRENTnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE TORRENT SWEEPING UNDER THE MOUNTAINS The boat drifted on.
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The sides of the channel grew steeper, until at last they became rocky precipices, rising to an unknown height.
volcanicadjectiveUS /vɑːlˈkænɪk/
relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes
From this reading The light given by the aurora and the low moon seemed to grow fainter; and as I looked behind I saw that the distant glow from the volcanic fires had become more brilliant in the increasing darkness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here I drifted helplessly, and saw the gloomy, rocky cliffs sweep past me as I was hurled onward on the breast of the tremendous flood.
watersnounUS /ˈwɔːtərz/
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/
the extent of something from side to side
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The channel itself grew narrower, till from a width of two miles it had contracted to a tenth of those dimensions; but with this lessening width the waters seemed to rush far more swiftly.
