used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
catacombsnounUS /ˈkætəkoʊmz/
plural of “catacomb” — an underground tunnel with recesses where bodies were buried (as in ancient Rome)
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading IN THE CRATER CAVE.
chasms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
CRATERnounUS /ˈkreɪtər/
a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading IN THE CRATER CAVE.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
entombedverbUS /enˈtuːmd/
past form of “entomb” — place in a grave or tomb
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
set up or found
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
depressingly dark
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
not accessible to view
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE CRATER CAVE.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
menacingadjectiveUS /ˈmenəsɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
rock-tombs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
semi-darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE CRATER CAVE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
soldiers collectively
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
untoldadjectiveUS /ənˈtoʊld/
too much to be measured
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
migratory
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading It was a weird spot, and in the gathering darkness had a depressing effect upon one’s spirits.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
in or at the place that
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before it stood two small brass cannon, their polished mouths gleaming with a menacing look through the semi-darkness.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading Here there might have been enormous catacombs, where the dead of untold ages had been brought from other lands to be entombed; and if so, what troops of uneasy ghosts might be found wandering about the yawning chasms of the gloomy crater after nightfall!
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading For was there not the dusky entrance yonder to some land of hidden rock-tombs?
