used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
archesnounUS /ˈɑːrtʃəz/
plural of “arch” — a curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
benightedadjectiveUS /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/
overtaken by night or darkness
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
brickworknoun
masonry done with bricks and mortar
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
chambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
debrisnounUS /dəˈbriː/
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
edifices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
set up or found
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
destroyed or killed
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
and nothing more
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
not any; not one
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
on one occasion
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
palacesnounUS /ˈpæləsəz/
plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
preservationnounUS /ˌprezərˈveɪʃən/
the activity of protecting something from loss or danger
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
ruinsnounUS /ˈruːənz/
plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
cut with a saw
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
snakenounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
not in physical motion
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I hurried on, for it was already getting so dark that I had good reason to fear I should be unable to find the sort of place of which I was in search before I was altogether benighted.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I had cut a stick to help me along, or I should not have been able to get over the rough ground so well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
at the time that
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I clambered over them I saw before me some arches in the side of the rock, which I thought probably were at the entrance of chambers, one of which might serve as my abode for the night.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading On every side, as I wandered on, I found ruins of what I have no doubt were once temples, and palaces, and public edifices, some still in a wonderful state of preservation, and others little more than shapeless masses of debris and fallen brickwork.
wrigglingadjective
moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
From this reading I had gone on some way when a loud hiss close to me made me start, and I could just discern a big snake wriggling out from a crevice near which I had passed.
