Chapter XXXIII · Chapter 33

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

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

later than; following

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

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

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

the quality of yielding nothing of value

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

a region marking a boundary

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

very close or connected in space or time

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

put on clothes

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

standing above others in quality or position

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

apart from; not including

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

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

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

inflected form of “gird” — prepare oneself for a military confrontation

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

a high place

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

having hills and crags

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

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

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

plural of “kurd” — a member of a largely pastoral Islamic people who live in Kurdistan; the largest ethnic group without their own state

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

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 Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

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

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

having hills and crags

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

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

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

of an obscure nature

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

go across or through

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

publicly displayed

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

plural of “ridge” — a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

inflected form of “rive” — tear or be torn violently

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

a garment worn on the upper half of the body

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

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

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

plural of “turban” — a traditional Muslim headdress consisting of a long scarf wrapped around the head

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading _The Mysterious Mountains_ AT THE black gorge of a mountain pass sat, like sentries, two horsemen.

not covered with clothing

From this reading The general character of the scene was severe and savage; the contiguous rocks were black and riven, the hills barren and stony, the granite peaks of the more eminent heights uncovered, except occasionally by the snow.

not fruitful; not conducive to abundant production

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.

precisely as stated

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

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

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

a Caucasian

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading Before them extended a wide, but mountainous landscape: after the small and very rugged plain on the brink of which they were posted, many hilly ridges, finally a lofty range.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Their dress was that of the Kurds: white turbans, a black shirt girt with cords, on their backs a long lance, by their sides a crooked sword, and in their girdles a brace of pistols.

but in spite of that

From this reading Yet, notwithstanding the general aridity of its appearance, the country itself was not unfruitful.