used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
abysses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
alluvialadjectiveUS /ˌæˈluːviəl/
of or relating to alluvium
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
lacking funds
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
canterverbUS /ˈkæntər/
ride at a canter
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
cañon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
chaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
Doré's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
extravagantadjectiveUS /ekˈstrævəɡənt/
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
fatiguenounUS /fəˈtiːɡ/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
fugitivesnounUS /ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪvz/
plural of “fugitive” — someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
ten 10s
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
immediately past
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
mainlyadverbUS /ˈmeɪnli/
for the most part
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
mustangsnounUS /ˈmʌstæŋz/
plural of “mustang” — small hardy range horse of the western plains descended from horses brought by the Spanish
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
not any; not one
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
pursuersnounUS /pərˈsuːərz/
plural of “pursuer” — a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
riflemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
move hurridly
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
screamingadjectiveUS /ˈskriːmɪŋ/
so extremely intense as to evoke screams
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
possessing sweep
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
trotverbUS /trɑːt/
run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading As the fugitives broke into a trot, the pursuers quickened their pace to a slow canter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
plural of “wall” — 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 The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scene was like one of Doré's most extravagant designs of abysses and shadows.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
which person or people
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The gorge through which swept this silent flight and screaming chase was not more than two hundred feet wide, while it was at least fifteen hundred feet deep, with walls that were mainly sheer precipices.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading No faster; they were too wise to rush within range of riflemen who could neither be headed off nor flanked; and their hardy mustangs were nearly at the last gasp with thirst and with the fatigue of this tremendous journey.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Four hundred yards apart the two parties emerged from the sublime portal of the cañon and entered upon the little alluvial plain.
