used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
move towards
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
borernounUS /ˈbɔːrər/
a drill for penetrating rock
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
brilliancenounUS /ˈbrɪljəns/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
CavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
without stop or interruption
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
cradlingverbUS /ˈkreɪdəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “cradle” — hold gently and carefully
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
crescendonounUS /krɪˈʃendoʊ/
(music) a gradual increase in loudness
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
deflectedverbUS /dɪˈflektɪd/
past form of “deflect” — prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
ear-drums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
earth-borer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
exhaustsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɔːsts/
plural of “exhaust” — gases ejected from an engine as waste products
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
flaredverbUS /flerd/
past form of “flare” — burn brightly
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
nothingnessnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋnəs/
the state of nonexistence
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
orange-glowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
rocketnounUS /ˈrɑːkət/
any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
spatteredadjectiveUS /ˈspætərd/
covered with bright patches (often used in combination)
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
SpawnverbUS /spɑːn/
call forth
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
speared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
spherenounUS /sfɪr/
a particular environment or walk of life
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
stunnedadjectiveUS /stʌnd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Spawn of the Cavern_ In a crescendo of noise that stunned their ears, the earth-borer came down.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
TonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
tubesnounUS /tuːbz/
plural of “tube” — conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
up-thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
directed up
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
vibrationnounUS /vaɪˈbreɪʃən/
the act of vibrating
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
waveredverbUS /ˈweɪvərd/
past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading For a full minute the orange-glowing sphere lay there, quivering from the vibration; then the exhausts died and the wave of flame wavered and sank into nothingness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tongues of fire flared from the hole, speared to the ground and were deflected upward, cradling the metal ball in a wave of flame.
in or at the place that
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Through this fiery curtain the machine slowly lowered to the floor, where a shower of sparks spattered out, blinding the eyes of the watchers with their brilliance.
but in spite of that
From this reading While their ear-drums continued the thunder, the three stared at the borer, not daring to approach, yet striving to solve the mystery of why it had sunk despite the up-thrust of ten rocket tubes.
