used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
(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 All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
at or in or to any place
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
from appearances alone
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
circumferencenounUS /ˌsɜːrˈkʌmfrəns/
the size of something as given by the distance around it
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
craternounUS /ˈkreɪtər/
a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
disengagedverbUS /dɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “disengage” — release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
extinctadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstɪŋkt/
no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
ten 10s
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
millennianounUS /məˈleniə/
plural of “millennium” — a span of 1000 years
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
moonlessadjective
without a moon or a visible moon
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
not any; not one
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
nowherenounUS /ˈnoʊwer/
an insignificant place
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
polaradjectiveUS /ˈpoʊlər/
having a pair of equal and opposite charges
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
RecapturedverbUS /riˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “recapture” — experience anew
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
shrubnounUS /ʃrʌb/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
spinyadjectiveUS /ˈspaɪni/
having spines
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
having a supporting base
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
a just detectable amount
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
volcanonounUS /vɑːlˈkeɪnoʊ/
a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a moonless night, and the air was chill, but they were certainly nowhere near the polar regions, for there was no trace of snow to be seen anywhere.
at the time that
From this reading When they had disengaged themselves from the clinging sand they could see that they were apparently in the hollow of a vast crater, that must have been half a mile in circumference.
in or at the place that
From this reading _Recaptured_ "Where are we?" each demanded of the other, as they staggered out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All about them was sand, with here and there a spiny shrub standing up stiff and erect and solitary.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It was low and worn down to an elevation of not more than two or three hundred feet, and evidently the volcano that had thrown it up had been extinct for millennia.
