Chapter XXV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty

From this reading Then, silence--breathless, tense.

plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

complete destruction of a building

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading “The cave!” shrieked Helen.

intense and profound fear

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

unusual largeness in size or extent or number

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

characterized by grandeur

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

at the same time but in another place

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

possessive form of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

move hurridly

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

uttered in a shrill scream as of pain or terror

From this reading “The cave!” shrieked Helen.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Then, silence--breathless, tense.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time

From this reading Then, silence--breathless, tense.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

a large number or amount

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

having edges that are jagged from injury

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

experiencing intense pain especially mental pain

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

beyond belief or understanding

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then, hard upon that first great rush of earth, a second explosion--an explosion that seemed to shake the mountain from towering tip to base, that tore up tortured earth and rock, a roar that drowned all other sounds in its immensity.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There was the muttering, rending sound of the avalanche, earth torn from the breast of the mountain, a magnificent spectacle as tons of débris roared earthward, demolishing the cabins at the mountain’s foot.

plural of “witness” — someone who sees an event and reports what happened

From this reading BEARS Meanwhile, those outside the cave had been witnesses to an unbelievable horror.