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adeterminerUS /ə/
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.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
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.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
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.
anchorites
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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.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
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.
arched
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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.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
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.
atprepositionUS /æt/
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.
bare
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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.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
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.
beasts
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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.
beds
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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.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
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.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
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.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
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.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
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.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
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.
caves
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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.
cliff
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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.
cunning
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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.
deep
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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.
diorite
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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.
dividednounUS /ˈdivided/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
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.
dried
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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.
dwelling
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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.
exceptionally
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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.
extent
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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.
father
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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.
fissured
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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.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
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.
former
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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.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
Fountain
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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
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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.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
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.
hand
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.
herbs
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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.
Hermas
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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.
High
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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.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
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.
hollowed
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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.
holy
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.
home
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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.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
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.
iron-hardness
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.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
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.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
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.
larger
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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.
lay
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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.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
like
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.
made
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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.
Many
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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.
moderate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
mountain
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.
nature
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.
now
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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.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
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.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
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.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
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.
ones
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.
opened
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.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
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.
other
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.
panthers
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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.
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
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.
porphyry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
possession
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.
ravine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
red-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
ribbon
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.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
round
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.
served
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.
similar
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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.
slept
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.
small
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.
son
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.
space
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.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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.
Stephanus
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.
taken
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.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
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.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
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.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
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.
thempronounUS /ðem/
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.
there
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.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
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.
times
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.
toparticleUS /tuː/
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.
two
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.
vein
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.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
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.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
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.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
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.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
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.
wild
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.
wolves
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.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
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.
young
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.
