used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading No one can tell.
put or send forth
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
convulsionnounUS /kənˈvʌlʃən/
a sudden uncontrollable attack
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
earthquakenounUS /ˈɜːrθkweɪk/
shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from underground movement along a fault plane or from volcanic activity
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
at any time
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
finelyadverbUS /ˈfaɪnli/
in tiny pieces
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
freaknounUS /friːk/
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
ten 10s
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
conformity or harmony
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
most important element
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
subject to death
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
not any; not one
From this reading No one can tell.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
obelisknoun
a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No one can tell.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
rocking-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
express in words
From this reading No one can tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some ancient convulsion of nature, such as an earthquake or a lightning bolt, had evidently split it from the main precipice of rock near which it stood; for the huge crevice that separated it, and which extended entirely down to the beach, almost followed its outlines in every particular.
toppedadjectiveUS /tɑːpt/
having a top of a specified character
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Another freak of nature, doubtless, for no mortal hands could ever have moved so great a weight of solid rock.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what had cast up that great rocking-stone, and placed it in so finely balanced a position that it could be made a curious but effective bridge to the isolated peak?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From our better position we could now see the sides of the great rock which reared itself nearly a hundred feet from the shore and stood like some gigantic, flat topped obelisk, keeping guard by the lonely sea.
