1914
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
appropriateverbUS /əˈproʊpriət/
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
aquilineadjective
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
ArmenianounUS /ɑːrˈmiːniə/
a landlocked republic in southwestern Asia
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
bushyadjectiveUS /ˈbʊʃi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
compositionnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈzɪʃən/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
copper-coloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
defileverb
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
dentnounUS /dent/
an appreciable consequence (especially a lessening)
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
hideouslyadverbUS /ˈhɪdiəsli/
in a hideous manner
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
many-legged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
the force of workers available
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
nostrilsnounUS /ˈnɑːstrəlz/
plural of “nostril” — either one of the two external openings to the nasal cavity in the nose
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
the local environment
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
pertainingverbUS /pərˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “pertain” — be relevant to
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
unusual or striking
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
sloe-black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
spectatornounUS /ˈspekteɪtər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The foremost, preceding the rest by three parts of the length of his grey horse, was a study in colour.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
turbannounUS /ˈtɜːrbən/
a traditional Muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
verbnounUS /vɜːrb/
the word class that serves as the predicate of a sentence
From this reading The singular verb is strictly appropriate, for the five men kept close together, always in the same order, and, being mounted, might have appeared to a distant observer almost as one monstrous many-legged creature, hideously shaped.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading One afternoon in July 1914, a party of five men was making its way slowly through a defile in the hills of Armenia.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A black turban surmounted a copper-coloured face, the most striking feature of which was a thin aquiline nose hooked at the extremity, with finely arched nostrils, and a deep dent between bushy brows out of which gleamed sloe-black eyes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At a nearer view, however, the spectator would probably have been interested in the various composition of the party, and in certain picturesque elements pertaining to its individual members.
