Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

completely unclothed

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

a granular crystalline intrusive rock

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

separated into parts or pieces

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

not still wet

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

housing that someone is living in

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

to an exceptional degree

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

the point or degree to which something extends

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

past form of “fissure” — break into fissures or fine cracks

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

set up or found

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

past form of “hollow” — remove the inner part or the core of

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

preside over

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

plural of “panther” — a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

a relatively flat highland

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a finer groundmass of minerals

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

of brown tinged with red

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

any long object resembling a thin line

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

a male human offspring

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

the season of growth

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

in or at that place or location

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart

From this reading A vein of diorite of iron-hardness lay at its foot like a green ribbon, and below this there opened a small round cavern, hollowed and arched by the cunning hand of nature.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Many similar caves were to be found in the holy Fountain, and other anchorites had taken possession of the larger ones among them.

in or at the place that

From this reading High above the ravine where the spring was lay a level plateau of moderate extent, and behind it rose a fissured cliff of bare, red-brown porphyry.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.

but in spite of that

From this reading That of Stephanus was exceptionally high and deep, and yet the space was but small which divided the two beds of dried mountain herbs where, on one, slept the father, and on the other, the son.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In former times wild beasts, panthers or wolves, had made it their home; it now served as a dwelling for young Hermas and his father.