adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
abruptadjectiveUS /əˈbrʌpt/
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
avoidverbUS /əˈvɔɪd/
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
banknounUS /bæŋk/
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
beeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
bluffnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
branchesnounUS /ˈbræntʃəz/
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
chateaunounUS /ʃæˈtoʊ/
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
crossverbUS /krɔːs/
travel across or pass over
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
extremitynounUS /ekˈstreməti/
an external body part that projects from the body
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
footnounUS /fʊt/
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/
having or given a form or shape
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
insurmountableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbəl/
not capable of being surmounted or overcome
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
partlyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrtli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
passableadjectiveUS /ˈpæsəbəl/
able to be passed or traversed or crossed
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
passagenounUS /ˈpæsədʒ/
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
principalnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
rightadverbUS /raɪt/
precisely, exactly
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
steadyverbUS /ˈstedi/
make steady
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
sycamorenounUS /ˈsɪkəmɔːr/
variably colored and sometimes variegated hard tough elastic wood of a sycamore tree
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
triangularadjectiveUS /traɪˈæŋɡjələr/
having three angles; forming or shaped like a triangle
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading In order to avoid this stretch, which was not passable for carriages, the road leading into the principal part of the valley turned to the right, and reached by an easier ascent a more level plateau.
walknounUS /wɔːk/
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
walkingadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːkɪŋ/
close enough to be walked to
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading There was only one narrow path by the river, which was shaded by branches of beeches and willows that hung over this bank into the river.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After walking a short distance through this shady path, one found himself before a huge triangular rock covered with moss, which nature had rolled from the top of the mountain as if to close up the passage.
woodedadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdɪd/
covered with growing trees and bushes etc
From this reading At the extremity of the sycamore walk, the shore formed a bluff like the one upon which the chateau was built, but much more abrupt, and partly wooded.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This obstacle was not insurmountable; but in order to cross it, one must have a sure foot and steady head, for the least false step would precipitate the unlucky one into the river, which was rapid as well as deep.
