adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
alkalinounUS /ˈælkəlaɪ/
any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
aridadjectiveUS /ˈærəd/
lacking sufficient water or rainfall
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
associatedverbUS /əˈsoʊsieɪtɪd/
past form of “associate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
BaskingverbUS /ˈbæskɪŋ/
-ing form of “bask” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of burning something
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
chaparralnounUS /ˌʃæpərˈæl/
dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
dustverbUS /dʌst/
remove the dust from
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
dust-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
finallyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
flatlyadverbUS /ˈflætli/
in an unqualified manner
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
GilanounUS /ˈɡiːlə/
a river that rises in western New Mexico and flows westward through southern Arizona to become a tributary of the Colorado River
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
Gilas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
jawsnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
largeradjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
learnedadjectiveUS /lɜːrnd/
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
madlyadverbUS /ˈmædli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
mesquitenounUS /ˈmeskiːt/
any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large pods rich in sugar
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
monstersnounUS /ˈmɑːnstərz/
plural of “monster” — an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
neareradverbUS /ˈnɪrər/
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
northnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
OffadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
OutadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
pitilesslyadverb
without pity; in a merciless manner
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
rearnounUS /rɪr/
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
respondedverbUS /rɪˈspɑːndɪd/
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
sandnounUS /sænd/
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
showingnounUS /ˈʃoʊɪŋ/
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
spottedadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtɪd/
having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
terrornounUS /ˈterər/
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading As it came nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly pounding horse, and it carried a man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/
bristling with perplexities
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became hidden again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Out of that cloud came sharp, splitting sounds, which were faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
whip-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading Basking in the burning sand and alkali lay several Gila monsters, which raised their heads and hissed with wide-open jaws as several faint, whip-like reports echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had learned that danger was associated with such sounds.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted with dust-gray clumps of mesquite and thorny chaparral.
