used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
aglint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
clankverbUS /klæŋk/
make a clank
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
cragnounUS /kræɡ/
a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The wind was laid.
immediately past
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
lurkedverbUS /lɜːrkt/
past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
the force of workers available
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
mountain-pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
pervasiveadjectiveUS /pərˈveɪsɪv/
spreading or spread throughout
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
quietudenoun
a state of peace and quiet
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
reverberationnounUS /riˌvɜːrbərˈeɪʃən/
the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
rillnounUS /rɪl/
a small stream
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
a special situation
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
tinklenounUS /ˈtɪŋkəl/
a light clear metallic sound as of a small bell
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/
lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
vibrationnounUS /vaɪˈbreɪʃən/
the act of vibrating
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moon was high in the sky.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
at the time that
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
which person or people
From this reading For an hour or more the three men who lurked in the shadow of a crag in the narrow mountain-pass, heard nothing else.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind was laid.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading When at last they caught the dull reverberation of a slow wheel and the occasional metallic clank of a tire against a stone, the vehicle was fully three miles distant by the winding road in the valley.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So silent was the vast stretch of mountain wilderness, aglint with the dew, that the tinkle of a rill far below in the black abyss seemed less a sound than an evidence of the pervasive quietude, since so slight a thing, so distant, could compass so keen a vibration.
