used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
craternounUS /ˈkreɪtər/
a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
immediately past
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
pallverbUS /pɑːl/
become less interesting or attractive
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
a course of conduct
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
presagingverbUS /ˈpresɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “presage” — indicate, as with a sign or an omen
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
smoke-cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A red glow from the crater illumined the dark smoke-cloud hanging over it.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
star-spangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the mountain the black pall was conspicuous against the star-spangled sky.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The air was heavy as though presaging a storm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
at the time that
From this reading THE NIGHT OF THE SACRIFICE At last the night came when the snake god was to appear.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The moon shone with wonderful brilliancy, sending a path of dancing light from the island across the sea to the horizon.
