used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
in the past
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading AUNT ORSOLYA'S CAVERN.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the act of burning something
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
butchersnounUS /ˈbʊtʃərz/
plural of “butcher” — a retailer of meat
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
CAVERNnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading AUNT ORSOLYA'S CAVERN.
chattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
elegantlyadverbUS /ˈelɪɡəntliː/
with elegance; in a tastefully elegant manner
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
encampedverbUS /ɪnˈkæmpt/
past form of “encamp” — live in or as if in a tent
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
entertainmentnounUS /ˌentərˈteɪnmənt/
an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
fire-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
grandees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
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 Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
the force of workers available
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
not any; not one
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
ORSOLYA'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT ORSOLYA'S CAVERN.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/
(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
panther-skins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the local environment
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
literature in metrical form
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
recurring again and again
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
skinning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
slungverbUS /slʌŋ/
inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
vaultedadjectiveUS /ˈvɔːltɪd/
having a hemispherical vault or dome
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
which person or people
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
wild-beast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Three fires were burning in different parts of the cavern, and round each was encamped quite a little army of women and children.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading Some of the women were filling their wooden vessels at the springs which trickled out from under the wall of rock; and as they watched the water sparkling in the fire-light they chattered to one another in the most animated way, or told fairy tales and repeated poetry for the general entertainment.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Quite respectable butchers they were, these grandees, who had been used no long time ago to appear before the world with the most splendid of panther-skins slung elegantly over their shoulders.
but in spite of that
From this reading Of the men, some were lying outstretched on wild-beast skins, others were pacing up and down the great vaulted hall, and yet others were busy skinning the game shot during the day.
