used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
(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 the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
any thing at all
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
barenessnoun
a bleak and desolate atmosphere
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
ENCOUNTERverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
ENGLISHMANnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
feastedverbUS /ˈfiːstɪd/
past form of “feast” — partake in a feast or banquet
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
gorgesnounUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəz/
plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
Hassan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
heighteningadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪtənɪŋ/
reaching a higher intensity
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
intoxicationnounUS /ˌɪntɑːksəˈkeɪʃən/
the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
Jezireh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
Kaif
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
limestonenounUS /ˈlaɪmstoʊn/
a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
luxuriancenoun
the property of being lush and abundant and a pleasure to the senses
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
riddledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdəld/
(often followed by “with”) damaged throughout by numerous perforations or holes
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
plural of “sens” — street names for marijuana
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
spurtsnounUS /spɜːrts/
plural of “spurt” — the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
thirty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːrdifaɪv/
being five more than thirty
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
tombsnounUS /tuːmz/
plural of “tomb” — a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
turreted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
precisely as stated
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was months since we had seen anything green, and we feasted our eyes and senses on the unaccustomed luxuriance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All the grim bareness and desolation of the stone and mud country through which we had passed seemed to serve a purpose now in heightening the intoxication of this scene.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The river winds through narrow gorges with steep walls of limestone rock riddled with rock tombs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH AN ENGLISHMAN Between Hassan Kaif and Jezireh, a distance of thirty-five miles, the scenery is very fine.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Here and there in the black gorges the high turreted rocks would be skirted below with bands of vegetation; little spurts of glistening water shooting over the rocky tops, as they dashed down to join the river, shot between masses of ferns or trickled through beds of green moss.
