used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
accumulationnounUS /əˌkjuːmjəˈleɪʃən/
an increase by natural growth or addition
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
in the past
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
cavesnounUS /keɪvz/
plural of “cave” — a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
cisternsnounUS /ˈsɪstərnz/
plural of “cistern” — a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
From this reading Consequently, the planters depend upon cisterns.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
ConsequentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwəntli/
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading Consequently, the planters depend upon cisterns.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Consequently, the planters depend upon cisterns.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
start firing a weapon
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
flownounUS /floʊ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
honey-combed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
immediately past
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
lavanounUS /ˈlɑːvə/
rock that in its molten form (as magma) issues from volcanos; lava is what magma is called when it reaches the surface
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
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 last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
not any; not one
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
not one, and not any
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
plantersnounUS /ˈplæntərz/
plural of “planter” — the owner or manager of a plantation
From this reading Consequently, the planters depend upon cisterns.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
UnderneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This lava is the accumulation of ages; one torrent of fire after another has rolled down here in old times, and built up the island structure higher and higher.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Consequently, the planters depend upon cisterns.
the act of using
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
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 Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
wellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
which person or people
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading At four o'clock in the afternoon we were winding down a mountain of dreary and desolate lava to the sea, and closing our pleasant land journey.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading The last lava flow occurred here so long ago that there are none now living who witnessed it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Underneath, it is honey-combed with caves; it would be of no use to dig wells in such a place; they would not hold water--you would not find any for them to hold, for that matter.
