used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
batsadjectiveUS /bæts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
blandadjectiveUS /blænd/
lacking taste or flavor or tang
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
celestialadjectiveUS /səˈlestʃəl/
of or relating to the sky
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
cut-off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
Decker'snounUS /ˈdekərz/
possessive form of “decker” — English dramatist and pamphleteer (1572-1632)
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
Dew-wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
GAPnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
set afire or burning
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
low-flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
McEvoy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
not any; not one
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
quakeverbUS /kweɪk/
shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
Ravenel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
resoundingadjectiveUS /riˈsaʊndɪŋ/
characterized by resonance
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
saggingadjectiveUS /ˈsæɡɪŋ/
hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
Simms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
not in physical motion
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
successive (without a break)
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
possessing sweep
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
having come into contact
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/
move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SUNSET GAP The night was as bland as it was dark.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Neither stars nor moon lighted the way of the travelers, but Miles McEvoy’s horses had no need of these celestial bodies to help them keep the road.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
at the time that
From this reading They did not tremble as, climbing and still climbing, it carried them along the edge of a gorge; nor did they quake when their hoofs beat on a resounding bridge, though there were but planks between them and an abyss.
which person or people
From this reading Dew-wet branches touched the faces of those who sat in the sagging old wagon, and low-flying bats brushed their hair.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading They knew it, though it swept around Simms’ barn and took the cut-off by Decker’s hill, and plunged straight through Ravenel’s woods.
