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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 Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
All
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From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
assailed
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From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
balloon
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From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
became
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From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
blot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
closer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
coppery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
dazzling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
dimmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
distorted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
drifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
faded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
formless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
haze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
hilltop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
horizons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
Hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
imperceptibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
nostrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
objects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
ominous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
parched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
ribbon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
seared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
shimmering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
sunlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
tang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
tempering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
thickened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
tint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
unnatural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant mountains drew daily back into dimmer distance; became an obscure, formless blot against the sky, and vanished completely.
veil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The far horizons drew steadily closer as the days passed slowly and thickened the veil of smoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
wavering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
weird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the wind blew, the touch of it seared the face, as the smoke tang assailed the nostrils.
winds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Hot sunlight, winds as hot, a shimmering heat which distorted objects at a distance and made the sky line a dazzling, wavering ribbon of faded blue; and then the dull haze of smoke which hung over the land, and, without tempering the heat, turned the sun into a huge coppery balloon, which drifted imperceptibly from the east to the west, and at evening time settled softly down upon a parched hilltop and disappeared, leaving behind it an ominous red glow as of hidden fires.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the world was a weird, unnatural tint, hard to name, never to be forgotten.
