used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
Armenouhi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
blackeradjectiveUS /ˈblækər/
comparative of “black” — being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
envelopingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈveləpɪŋ/
surrounding and closing in on or hemming in
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
excludeverbUS /ɪkˈskluːd/
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
fleecyadjectiveUS /ˈfliːsi/
(of fabrics) having soft nap produced by brushing
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
gildedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪldɪd/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
intensifyingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪɪŋ/
increasing in strength or intensity
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
immediately past
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
miragenounUS /mərˈɑːʒ/
an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
attach to a support
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
outward-boundadjective
that is going out or leaving
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
with speed
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
Takvor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
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 Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
ThickeradjectiveUS /ˈθɪkər/
comparative of “thick” — 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 Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
TroynounUS /trɔɪ/
a system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones; based on a 12-ounce pound and an ounce of 480 grains
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
TurkishadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrkɪʃ/
of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading FORWARD Two days later, on the deck of an outward-bound steamer, sat Takvor and Armenouhi.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
vengeancenounUS /ˈvendʒəns/
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Turkish shore was fast receding from sight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Far in the distant east, past the mound of ancient Troy and beyond Mount Ida, thick, black clouds were rapidly gathering.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Before them on the western horizon, a few fleecy clouds, gilded by the last rays of the setting sun, formed, as it were, a beautiful mirage.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Thicker and blacker they rolled up from the horizon, enveloping the land, as if to exclude the face of heaven, while occasionally, darting through and intensifying their blackness, came a flash of lightning, like a mighty sword of vengeance.
