used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
completely unclothed
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
branchlessadjective
having no branches
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
canopynounUS /ˈkæn.ə.pi/
An overhead roof or structure, such as the high vaulted ceiling of an ancient library.
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
DuncannounUS /ˈdʌŋkən/
United States dancer and pioneer of modern dance (1878-1927)
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
at any time
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
flour-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
Frank'snounUS /fræŋks/
possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
fruitsnounUS /fruːts/
plural of “fruit” — the ripened reproductive body of a seed plant
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
funginounUS /ˈfʌndʒaɪ/
the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
depressingly dark
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
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 The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
lusciousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌʃɪs/
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
mildewnounUS /ˈmɪlduː/
the process of becoming mildewed
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
the light of the Moon
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
not any; not one
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
primevaladjectiveUS /praɪˈmiːvəl/
having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
rashnounUS /ræʃ/
any red eruption of the skin
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
skywardsadverb
toward the sky
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
slimyadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪmi/
covered with or resembling slime
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
star-rays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
sun-life
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun-life of beautiful birds and luscious fruits--Frank’s paradise--they had left far behind.
the rays of the sun
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had penetrated for fully a mile into the gloomy depths of this dark, primeval forest.
toadstoolnoun
common name for an inedible or poisonous agaric (contrasting with the edible mushroom)
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading And these trees towered skywards, forming a dark green canopy overhead, that no sunlight could ever penetrate, nor moonlight or star-rays at night.
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 Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Frank and Duncan had undoubtedly been rash.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
a Caucasian
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Here was nothing that could be called inviting: slimy, rotting leaves on the bare ground, with here and there a huge and ugly toadstool; and the branchless trunks of mighty trees covered with white and yellow mildew or flour-like fungi.
