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Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
AdieunounUS /əˈduː/
a farewell remark
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
antiquarianadjective
of or relating to persons who study or deal in antiques or antiquities
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
attractionsnounUS /əˈtrækʃənz/
plural of “attraction” — the force by which one object attracts another
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
cementnounUS /səˈment/
concrete pavement is sometimes referred to as cement
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
the specified day of the month
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
dearly loved
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
describesverbUS /dɪˈskraɪbz/
third-person singular of “describe” — give a description of
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
DiarynounUS /ˈdaɪəri/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
the act of discovering something
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
being one more than seven
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
eruptionnounUS /ˌiːˈrʌpʃən/
the sudden occurrence of a violent discharge of steam and volcanic material
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
at any time
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
excavationsnounUS /ˌekskəˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “excavation” — the act of digging
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
explainsverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
FootnotenounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊt/
a printed note placed below the text on a printed page
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
Herculaneumnoun
ancient city; now destroyed
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
InvalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
lavanounUS /ˈlɑːvə/
rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
MatthewsnounUS /ˈmæθjuːz/
plural of “matthew” — (New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
moltenadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊltən/
reduced to liquid form by heating
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
PlinynounUS /ˈplɪni/
Roman writer and nephew of Pliny the Elder; author of books of letters that commented on affairs of the day (62-113)
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
Pompeiinoun
ancient city to the southeast of Naples that was buried by a volcanic eruption from Vesuvius
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
repaysverbUS /ˌriːˈpeɪz/
third-person singular of “repay” — pay back
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
Identical; not different.
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
only a very short time before
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "On our way home we explored Herculaneum, which scarcely repays the labour.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Matthews, in his "Diary of an Invalid," describes both, and his account explains why Pompeii, though the smaller town, presents more attractions to the scholar or the antiquarian.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This town is filled up with lava, and with a cement caused by the large mixture of water with the shower of earth and ashes which destroyed it; and it is choked up as completely as if molten lead had been poured into it.
a late time of life
From this reading [Footnote 1: It was known from the account of Pliny that other towns had been destroyed by the same eruption as Herculaneum, and eight years after the date of this letter some fresh excavations led to the discovery of Pompeii.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading Adieu, my dear West! and believe me yours ever.
