used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
abysses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
availableadjectiveUS /əˈveɪləbəl/
obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
circuitsnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəts/
plural of “circuit” — an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
crevicesnounUS /ˈkrevəsɪz/
plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
traveling across
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
fatiguingverbUS /fəˈtiːɡɪŋ/
-ing form of “fatigue” — lose interest or become bored with something or somebody
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
gorgesnounUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəz/
plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
only a very short time before
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
limestonenounUS /ˈlaɪmstoʊn/
a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
engage in
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
and nothing more
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
a course of conduct
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
steeredverbUS /stɪrd/
past form of “steer” — direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
stratanounUS /ˈstrætə/
plural of “stratum” — one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WEICOS.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For an hour our path was steep and vegetation had nearly entirely disappeared, only a few reeds were visible in the crevices between the rocks.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
WEICOS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEICOS.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
in or at the place that
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the third evening we approached the western mountain chain, which bordered the northern end of the plain we were crossing.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Our road slowly rose, while we steered toward a gap in the mountains, where we hoped to find an available path.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading Deep yawning gorges and _canyons_ opened between the overhanging limestone strata, round which we had to make fatiguing circuits, while frequently we had hardly room to lead our horses along the precipices over deep abysses.
