adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
agesnounUS /ˈeɪdʒəz/
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
alarmnounUS /əˈlɑːrm/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
ANCIENTadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
anterioradjectiveUS /ænˈtɪriər/
of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
antiquitynounUS /ænˈtɪkwəti/
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
broughtverbUS /brɔːt/
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
Buddhas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
bushesnounUS /ˈbʊʃəz/
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
camellias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
carpetedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪd/
covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
cemeteriesnounUS /ˈseməteriz/
plural of “cemetery” — a tract of land used for burials
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
deadadjectiveUS /ded/
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
delightfullyadverbUS /dɪˈlaɪtfəli/
in a delightful manner
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
depthsnounUS /depθs/
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
eatenverbUS /ˈiːtən/
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
enclosuresnounUS /ɪnˈkloʊʒərz/
plural of “enclosure” — a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
existences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
foreveradverbUS /fərˈevər/
for a limitless time
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/
inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading It is a region of forsaken cemeteries.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
garden-walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
gatewaysnounUS /ˈɡeɪtweɪz/
plural of “gateway” — an entrance that can be closed by a gate
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/
coins made of gold
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
granitenounUS /ˈɡrænət/
plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
graynounUS /ɡreɪ/
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
hiddenadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdən/
not accessible to view
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
hoaryadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːri/
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
horrornounUS /ˈhɔːrər/
intense and profound fear
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
inscriptionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃənz/
plural of “inscription” — letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
JapanesenounUS /ˌdʒæpəˈniːz/
a native or inhabitant of Japan
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
lichensnounUS /ˈlaɪkənz/
plural of “lichen” — any of several eruptive skin diseases characterized by hard thick lesions grouped together and resembling lichens growing on rocks
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
lonelyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnli/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/
for more time
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
lotusnounUS /ˈloʊtəs/
native to eastern Asia; widely cultivated for its large pink or white flowers
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
monumentsnounUS /ˈmɑːnjəmənts/
plural of “monument” — a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
mountain-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
multitudesnounUS /ˈmʌltətjuːdz/
plural of “multitude” — a large indefinite number
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
of an obscure nature
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
NagasakinounUS /ˌnɑːɡɑːˈsɑːki/
a city in southern Japan on Kyushu; a leading port and shipbuilding center; on August 9, 1945 Nagasaki became the second populated area to receive an atomic bomb
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
pathnounUS /pæθ/
a course of conduct
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
plantationsnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “plantation” — an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
proofnounUS /pruːf/
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
PursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading It is a region of forsaken cemeteries.
reproductionnounUS /ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən/
the process of generating offspring
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
rocksnounUS /rɑːks/
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
rudeadjectiveUS /ruːd/
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
sacredadjectiveUS /ˈseɪkrəd/
concerned with religion or religious purposes
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
sadnessnounUS /ˈsædnəs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
seatedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːtɪd/
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
seemsverbUS /siːmz/
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
seesnounUS /siːz/
plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
sepulchres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/
in a serious manner
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
shapenounUS /ʃeɪp/
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
SometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
stairwaysnounUS /ˈsterweɪz/
plural of “stairway” — a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
stonenounUS /stoʊn/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
stonesnounUS /stoʊnz/
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
teanounUS /tiː/
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
terracesnounUS /ˈterəsəz/
plural of “terrace” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But there is neither sadness nor horror in these Japanese sepulchres; it seems as if, among this frivolous and childish people, death itself could not be taken seriously.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
thousandsnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndz/
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The dead hidden away there have long since become one with the earth around them; and these thousands of little gray stones, these multitudes of ancient little Buddhas, eaten away by lichens, seem to be now no more than a proof of a series of existences, long anterior to our own, and lost forever and altogether in the mysterious depths of ages.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
TOMBSnounUS /tuːmz/
plural of “tomb” — a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
tombstonesnounUS /ˈtuːmstoʊnz/
plural of “tombstone” — a stone that is used to mark a grave
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
underbrushnounUS /ˈʌndərbrʌʃ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The mountains round Nagasaki are covered with cemeteries; for centuries and centuries they have brought their dead up here.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading The monuments are either granite Buddhas, seated on lotus, or upright tombstones with inscriptions in gold.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Above us, the tombs of our mountain are of an antiquity so hoary that they no longer alarm any one, even at night.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
villasnounUS /ˈvɪləz/
plural of “villa” — Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Sometimes these pass under one of the sacred gateways, of which the shape, always the same, rude and simple, is a smaller reproduction of those in the temples.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
windsnounUS /wɪndz/
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ANCIENT TOMBS Pursuing the path that winds past our, dwelling, one passes a dozen or more old villas, a few garden-walls, and then sees nothing but the lonely mountain-side, with little paths winding upward toward the summit through plantations of tea, bushes of camellias, underbrush, and rocks.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading They are grouped together in little enclosures in the midst of the woods, or on natural terraces delightfully situated, and are usually reached by long stairways of stone carpeted with moss.
