quickly and without warning
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
boundingverbUS /ˈbaʊndɪŋ/
-ing form of “bound” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
civilisedadjective
having a high state of culture and development both social and technological
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
placed crosswise
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
diversifiedadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrsəfaɪd/
having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
downsnounUS /daʊnz/
plural of “down” — soft fine feathers
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
eminencesnounUS /ˈemənənsɪz/
plural of “eminence” — high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
farmhousesnounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊsəz/
plural of “farmhouse” — house for a farmer and family
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
fleetnessnoun
rapidity of movement
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
herdsnounUS /hɜːrdz/
plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
Jacks-in-the-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
kraals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
the act of departing
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
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 The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
most important element
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
engage in
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
the local environment
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
go across or through
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
springboks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were, in general, difficult and sometimes dangerous to pass.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
tractsnounUS /trækts/
plural of “tract” — an extended area of land
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
TransvaalnounUS /trænzˈvɑːl/
a province of northeastern South Africa originally inhabited by Africans who spoke Bantu; colonized by the Boers
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
undulatingverbUS /ˈʌndʒəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “undulate” — stir up (water) so as to form ripples
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
watercourses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The main features of the scenery had been long undulating downs, over which the tall coarse grass was growing up in abundance, diversified now and then by masses of rock rising abruptly into sharp eminences, and crossed occasionally by deep watercourses overgrown with weeds.
wildernounUS /ˈwaɪldər/
United States writer and dramatist (1897-1975)
From this reading It was now the end of the second day of their journey, and they were beginning to make their way into the wilder country of the Transvaal, leaving the more civilised parts behind them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Every now and then herds of springboks came by, bounding straight up into the air, as they caught sight of the travellers, like Jacks-in-the-box, to an astonishing height, and then rushing away with the fleetness of the wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The road during the greater part of the day had lain across lonely tracts of country--such kraals and farmhouses as they had fallen in with being few and far between.
