used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
in actual fact
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
adaptationnounUS /ˌædəpˈteɪʃən/
a written work (as a novel) that has been recast in a new form
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
anew
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
(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 These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
the lower side of anything
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
buttenounUS /bjuːt/
a hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding region; has a flat top and sloping sides
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
canyon-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
citadelnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
cliff-sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
communaladjectiveUS /kəˈmjuːnəl/
for or by a group rather than individuals
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
having made preparations
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
elevatedadjectiveUS /ˈeləveɪtɪd/
raised above the ground
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
ellipticaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlɪptɪkəl/
rounded like an egg
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
herbaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
horse-hunters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
inclinesnounUS /ˌɪnˈklaɪnz/
plural of “incline” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
intersectionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈsekʃən/
a point where lines intersect
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
INTRUDERnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading THE INTRUDER.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
pathwaynounUS /ˈpæθweɪ/
a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
planular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
on the contrary
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
without much difficulty
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
scantilyadverbUS /ˈskæntəli/
in a skimpy manner
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
skillfullyadverbUS /ˈskɪlfəli/
with skill
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
terracesnounUS /ˈterəsəz/
plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE INTRUDER.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
precisely as stated
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
at the time that
From this reading The little village of the horse-hunters, if village it could be called when it was a sort of communal dwelling house, was built upon a very flat and scantily herbaged plain, forming an elevated mesa, rather sharply defined by cliff-sides.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading These cliffs were not continuously precipitate or high, on all sides; and at one point access to the summit was readily gained by broken inclines which actually permitted the inhabitants of this isolated spot to form a rude road, so skillfully constructed that by adaptation and selection, a pathway had been built or smoothed to the bottom of the citadel of rock on which the village stood.
belonging to which person
From this reading The butte of the horse-hunters formed indeed a depressed elliptical elevation, planular at the top, which stood at the intersection of two canyons, whose walls actually rose above it on all sides.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The butte rose with receding walls, disposed in ascending steps or terraces from a canyon-like valley, from which again escape to the country beyond was gained by less easy means.
