used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
beetrootnoun
beet having a massively swollen red root; widely grown for human consumption
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
breechesnounUS /ˈbriːtʃɪz/
(used in the plural) trousers ending above the knee
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
corduroynounUS /ˈkɔːrdərɔɪ/
a cut pile fabric with vertical ribs; usually made of cotton
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
divisible by two
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
intersectingadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈsektɪŋ/
crossed or intersected in the form of an X
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
kilometresnounUS /ˌkɪˈlɔːmʌtərz/
plural of “kilometre” — a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles)
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
leaguesnounUS /liːɡz/
plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
march in a procession
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
Marchiennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
marshnounUS /mɑːrʃ/
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
Montsou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
not any; not one
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
and nothing more
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
pavedadjectiveUS /peɪvd/
covered with a firm surface
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
squallsnounUS /skwɔːlz/
plural of “squall” — sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
starlessadjective
not starry; having no stars or starlike objects
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
stridesnounUS /straɪdz/
plural of “stride” — a step in walking or running
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The man had set out from Marchiennes about two o'clock.
unrolledverbUS /ˌʌnˈroʊld/
past form of “unroll” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading No tree could be seen against the sky, and the road unrolled as straight as a pier in the midst of the blinding spray of darkness.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Over the open plain, beneath a starless sky as dark and thick as ink, a man walked alone along the highway from Marchiennes to Montsou, a straight paved road ten kilometres in length, intersecting the beetroot fields.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading He could not even see the black soil before him, and only felt the immense flat horizon by the gusts of March wind, squalls as strong as on the sea, and frozen from sweeping leagues of marsh and naked earth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He walked with long strides, shivering beneath his worn cotton jacket and corduroy breeches.
