used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
(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 PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
ArchnounUS /ɑːrtʃ/
a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
archways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
chokesnounUS /tʃoʊks/
plural of “choke” — a coil of low resistance and high inductance used in electrical circuits to pass direct current and attenuate alternating current
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
colonnadenounUS /ˌkɑːləˈneɪd/
structure consisting of a row of evenly spaced columns
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
not accessible to view
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
crouches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
crownsnounUS /kraʊnz/
plural of “crown” — the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
desert-girt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
the organ of sight
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
hovelsnounUS /ˈhʌvəlz/
plural of “hovel” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
indefiniteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdefənət/
vague or not clearly defined or stated
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
located inward
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
konak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
magnificencenoun
splendid or imposing in size or appearance
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
massiveadjectiveUS /ˈmæsɪv/
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
on one occasion
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
palmnounUS /pɑːm/
the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
PALMYRAnoun
tall fan palm of Africa and India and Malaysia yielding a hard wood and sweet sap that is a source of palm wine and sugar; leaves used for thatching and weaving
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
patchesnounUS /ˈpætʃəz/
plural of “patch” — a small contrasting part of something
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
plantationsnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “plantation” — an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
pomegranatenounUS /ˌpɑːməˈɡrænət/
shrub or small tree native to southwestern Asia having large red many-seeded fruit
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
determined
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
Tadmor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
in the direction of
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
TriumphaladjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfəl/
relating to or celebrating a triumph
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
unutterableadjective
too sacred to be uttered
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading PALMYRA It burst upon us all at once, Palmyra, in the desert--a chaos of golden pillars in the glow of the setting sun.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
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 Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Behind us the present village of Tadmor was concealed inside the walls of the great Temple of the Sun; its mud hovels lie rotting behind the gigantic columns of the inner court in the dirt which chokes the massive archways.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
in or at the place that
From this reading We drew rein under the Triumphal Arch; from here the eye is led on down the great colonnade from column to column, now upright, now fallen, to where a mile away a castle crowns a peak of the range under which Palmyra crouches--an old time harbour for the sand sea beyond.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading We had passed through the patches of rising corn, making green holes in the brown desert; we had wound through the gardens of pomegranate and plantations of palm trees and turned the corner of the ugly konak which barred the ruins from our view; and there it lay, the desert-girt city, in the unutterable lonely magnificence of its reckless confusion.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading We had been riding all day towards an indefinite shape on the horizon; slowly it had resolved itself into a barrier of yellow rock with dark lines becoming distinguishable against it.
