used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
at or in the front
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
battledverbUS /ˈbætəld/
past form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Finally it began to be felt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Finally it began to be felt.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
dust-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
at any time
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Finally it began to be felt.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally it began to be felt.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
grainsnounUS /ɡreɪnz/
plural of “grain” — a relatively small granular particle of a substance
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
guidesnounUS /ɡaɪdz/
plural of “guide” — someone employed to conduct others
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
land-marks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
obliteratedadjectiveUS /əˈblɪtəreɪtɪd/
reduced to nothingness
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
pumicenounUS /ˈpʌməs/
a light glass formed on the surface of some lavas; used as an abrasive
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
sand-storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
simoonnoun
a violent hot sand-laden wind on the deserts of Arabia and North Africa
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
in the near future
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
trailsnounUS /treɪlz/
plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
upthrustnoun
(geology) a rise of land to a higher elevation (as in the process of mountain building)
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading But the horses battled on, urged by their riders to reach the upthrust of mesa which was now but half a mile ahead.
velocitynounUS /vəˈlɑːsəti/
distance travelled per unit time
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind, which had been increasing in its velocity ever since the guides returned from the lookout crest, now blew the dust-like grains of sand across the desert and soon obliterated all trails and other land-marks.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Meanwhile every one was busy getting ready to battle with the simoon, or sand-storm, as the Indians call it.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Before the scouts could more than hope to reach the scanty protection of this irregular formation of rock and yellow pumice, the storm was blowing in all its fury.
