adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(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 After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
cavenounUS /keɪv/
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
decreasedadjectiveUS /dɪˈkriːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
dropverbUS /drɑːp/
let fall to the ground
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
drunkadjectiveUS /drʌŋk/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
gotverbUS /ɡɑːt/
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
lengthnounUS /leŋkθ/
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
mouthnounUS /maʊθ/
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
Noot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
oilnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
rocking-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
speakingnounUS /ˈspiːkɪŋ/
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
spikenounUS /spaɪk/
a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
sprangverbUS /spræŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
staredverbUS /sterd/
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
thusadverbUS /ðʌs/
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
wallnounUS /wɔːl/
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
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 We were even without a drop of water to stay our thirst, for we had drunk the last in the chamber of Noot.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But now a fresh trouble stared as in the face: our oil was gone, and the lamps were, no doubt, crushed to powder beneath the fallen rocking-stone.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As we drew towards the face of the cliff, however, from which the spur sprang out like a spike from a wall, the light increased, though only a very little, for it was night overhead.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading After that the gusts of wind decreased, and we got along rather better, and at last reached the mouth of the first cave or tunnel.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading For some half-hour we lay thus without speaking a word, and then at length began to creep along the great spur as best we might in the dense gloom.
