used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
cause to be bored
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
dejectionnoun
a state of melancholy depression
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
displaynounUS /dɪˈspleɪ/
something intended to communicate a particular impression
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
flaresnounUS /flerz/
plural of “flare” — a shape that spreads outward
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
gas-lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/
plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
heroicadjectiveUS /hɪˈroʊɪk/
very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
illuminations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
and nothing more
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
used to form the superlative
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
and nothing more
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
search-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But at any rate I should have liked to have observed the dejection of a search-light if it had been called upon to attempt to bore through this atmosphere.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
vaultnounUS /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
From this reading The cab finally rolled out of the gas-lit vault into a vast expanse of gloom.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This changed to the shadowy lines of a street that was like a passage in a monstrous cave.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were not very competent illuminations at best, merely being little pale flares of gas that at their most heroic periods could only display one fact concerning this tunnel--the fact of general direction.
winkingnounUS /ˈwɪŋkɪŋ/
a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
From this reading The lamps winking here and there resembled the little gleams at the caps of the miners.
