Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

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

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

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

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

the slender spear of the Bantu-speaking people of Africa

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

placed crosswise

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

plural of “denizen” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

people collectively who are crippled or otherwise physically handicapped

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

come together

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

divisible by two

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

plural of “glen” — a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

depressingly dark

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

a high place

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

and nothing more

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

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

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the act of tarrying

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

the force of workers available

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

an interconnected system of things or people

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

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

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

past form of “outnumber” — be larger in number

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

inflected form of “overhang” — project over

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

plural of “patrol” — a detachment used for security or reconnaissance

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

on the contrary

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

plural of “ravine” — a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the state of being held in high esteem and honor

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

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

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

-ing form of “slumber” — be asleep

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

a state of social isolation

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

a following of one thing after another in time

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

in a confused mass

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Even at that time the locality held an evil repute as the haunt of cattle thieves and desperate characters generally.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

torment emotionally or mentally

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

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

From this reading There was nothing in itself gloomy or forbidding in the series of densely-wooded heights which now rose in front of us.

an increase in width

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.

covered with growing trees and bushes etc

From this reading We crossed a kind of deep basin shut in on all sides by wooded hills, then through a narrow _poort_ overhung by aloe-fringed krantzes widening out into just such another basin.

people who are wounded

From this reading Many a dark episode could those tangled glens have told, of patrols surprised and outnumbered in the thick bush, of brave men struck down by the assegai of the savage, or dragged off, wounded and disabled, to be put to a lingering death of torture.

but in spite of that

From this reading Peaceful solitude rather than lurking danger was the idea conveyed by that winding succession of deep valleys and lofty hills slumbering in the golden light of the waning afternoon, yet the network of rugged ravines we were about to penetrate had, in former times, been the scene of more than one bloody encounter wherein the advantages had all lain with the wild denizens of the place.