used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
completely unclothed
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
basin-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
bravesnounUS /breɪvz/
plural of “brave” — a North American Indian warrior
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
brimnounUS /brɪm/
the top edge of a vessel or other container
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
coalsnounUS /koʊlz/
plural of “coal” — fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
copper-colored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
illuminatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈluːməneɪtəd/
provided with artificial light
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
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 About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
Moqui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WORSHIPPERS OF THE SNAKE.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
red-hotadjective
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
rhythmicallyadverbUS /ˈrɪðmɪkli/
in a rhythmic manner
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
scoresnounUS /skɔːrz/
a large number or amount
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
SNAKEnounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading WORSHIPPERS OF THE SNAKE.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
stolid-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WORSHIPPERS OF THE SNAKE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
plural of “wall” — 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 Steep, rocky walls, bare of timber or vegetation, and the flat, basin-like floor of the deep depression in the mountains formed the secret valley of the Moqui snake dancers.
weirdlyadverbUS /ˈwɪrdli/
in a weird manner
From this reading The glow of the flaming torches illuminated weirdly the surroundings.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
which person or people
From this reading In lines behind the braves, who were swaying their lithe bodies so rhythmically above the red-hot pit, were grouped scores of stolid-faced Indians.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About a deep pit, filled to the brim with red-hot, glowing coals, swayed a long line of naked, copper-colored bodies.
WORSHIPPERSnounUS /ˈwɜːrʃɪpərz/
plural of “worshipper” — a person who has religious faith
From this reading WORSHIPPERS OF THE SNAKE.
