used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
awedadjectiveUS /ɔːd/
inspired by a feeling of fearful wonderment or reverence
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
bottomlessadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːtəmləs/
extremely deep
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
expansesnounUS /ɪkˈspænsɪz/
plural of “expanse” — a wide scope
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
fan-shapedadjective
shaped in the form of a fan
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
gashedverbUS /ɡæʃt/
past form of “gash” — cut open
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
illimitableadjective
without limits in extent or size or quantity
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
islesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “isle” — a small island
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
not in physical motion
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
night-blackened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
and nothing more
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
sapphireadjectiveUS /ˈsæfaɪər/
of something having the color of a blue sapphire
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
serpentsnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənts/
plural of “serpent” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
slopesnounUS /sloʊps/
plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
teamsnounUS /tiːmz/
plural of “team” — a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Beyond the fan-shaped teams of dogs the eyes ran over fields of night-blackened blue, gashed and broken by bottomless canyons which twisted like purple serpents in every direction.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Upon the illimitable stretch of ice rising before us like the slopes of a glass mountain, the full rays of the moon poured liquid silver.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Only in dreams had such a scene as this been revealed to me--in dreams of the enchanted North--which did not now equal reality.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Vast expanses of smooth surface, polished by the constant winds, reflected the glow of the moon and gleamed like isles of silver in a motionless, deep, sapphire sea; but all was covered with the air of night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The spectacle filled me with both awed delight and a sense of terror.
