used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
chasednounUS /tʃeɪst/
a person who is being chased
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
conflictingadjectiveUS /kənˈflɪktɪŋ/
in disagreement
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
conjecturesnounUS /kənˈdʒektʃərz/
plural of “conjecture” — a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
EgyptnounUS /ˈiːdʒəpt/
a republic in northeastern Africa known as the United Arab Republic until 1971; site of an ancient civilization that flourished from 2600 to 30 BC
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
encampverbUS /ɪnˈkæmp/
live in or as if in a tent
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
set up or found
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
hordesnounUS /hɔːrdz/
plural of “horde” — a vast multitude
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
mingleverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəl/
to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
not one, and not any
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
having a point
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
with low volume
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
roamingverbUS /ˈroʊmɪŋ/
-ing form of “roam” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
express in words
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
shinglenounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəl/
building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
skeletonsnounUS /ˈskelətənz/
plural of “skeleton” — something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
not in physical motion
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
an idea that is suggested
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading A thousand conflicting conjectures chased one another in our bewildered minds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
precisely as stated
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
migratory
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were forced to encamp in the very midst of this weird desolation.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “The wandering hordes of Egypt, who found death on this spot after ceaseless roaming in the desert,” was my first suggestion; obviously a foolish one, for Hugh quietly pointed to one or two skeletons on which the flesh still hung.
whiteningnounUS /ˈwaɪtɪnɪŋ/
changing to a lighter color
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
which person or people
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
belonging to which person
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
in the company of; together with
From this reading What was the explanation of this strange and solitary abode of the dead? who were these whose whitening bones were left to mingle with the sand and shingle of the desert?
a late time of life
From this reading “None of these skeletons have been here more than ten years, I should say,” he remarked.
