used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
AmazonnounUS /ˈæməzɑːn/
a large strong and aggressive woman
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
AuroranounUS /ərˈɔːrə/
the first light of day
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
awe-inspiringadjective
inspiring awe or admiration or wonder
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
Borealis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
brassyadjectiveUS /ˈbræsi/
resembling the sound of a brass instrument
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
climenoun
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
coupledadjectiveUS /ˈkʌpəld/
joined together especially in a pair or pairs
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
coweringverbUS /ˈkaʊərɪŋ/
-ing form of “cower” — crouch or curl up
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
DELUGEnounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/
an overwhelming number or amount
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
enchantmentnounUS /enˈtʃæntmənt/
a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
fan-shapedadjective
shaped in the form of a fan
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
fearsomeadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrsəm/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
start firing a weapon
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
flarenounUS /fler/
a shape that spreads outward
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
floodedadjectiveUS /ˈflʌdəd/
covered with water
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
frigidadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪdʒəd/
sexually unresponsive
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
grayishadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪɪʃ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
hangsnounUS /hæŋz/
plural of “hang” — a special way of doing something
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
set down according to a plan
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
lendverbUS /lend/
bestow a quality on
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
lengthyadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθi/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
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 In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
millionnounUS /ˈmɪljən/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
become covered with mist
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
a particular point in time
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
onslaughtnounUS /ˈɔːnslɔːt/
a sudden and severe onset of trouble
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
polaradjectiveUS /ˈpoʊlər/
having a pair of equal and opposite charges
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
scintillatingadjective
brilliantly clever
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
shootingnounUS /ˈʃuːtɪŋ/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
Siluk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
snuffingverbUS /ˈsnʌfɪŋ/
-ing form of “snuff” — sniff or smell inquiringly
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
solaradjectiveUS /ˈsoʊlər/
relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
Storm-God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
streamersnounUS /ˈstriːmərz/
plural of “streamer” — light that streams
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Almost, as a room is plunged into blackness upon the snuffing out of a candle at midnight, so the jungle is flooded with gloom at the snap of the solar switch.
temperateadjectiveUS /ˈtemprət/
(of weather or climate) free from extremes; mild; or characteristic of such weather or climate
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading One moment, the sun like a brassy ball of fire hangs low upon the threatening horizon; the next, it has dropped into the belt of grayish mist that marks the earth's end and darkness has spread its silent, ominous mantle over the forest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
tropicsnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/
the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading In the tropics there is not the lengthy twilight of a temperate clime; nor the fearsome splendor of the Aurora Borealis with its million streamers of ghastly light shooting into the heavens in a fan-shaped flare of quivering color to lend mystery and enchantment to the long months of the frigid, scintillating polar night.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Now, the coming of night in the Upper Amazon is in itself an awe-inspiring event; but coupled with the furious onslaught of _Siluk_, the Storm-God, it is terrible.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WHEN THE DELUGE CAME With the coming of night, _Siluk_, the Storm-God, laid a heavy hand upon the cowering jungle.
