used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
camelnounUS /ˈkæməl/
cud-chewing mammal used as a draft or saddle animal in desert regions
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
crestedadjectiveUS /ˈkrestɪd/
bearing an heraldic device
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
dunesnounUS /duːnz/
plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
one or the other of two
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
instinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
labyrinthnounUS /ˈlæbərɪnθ/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
likelihoodnounUS /ˈlaɪklihʊd/
the probability of a specified outcome
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
march in a procession
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
not any; not one
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
put a saddle on
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
sand-hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
sandstormnounUS /ˈsændstɔːrm/
a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
try to get or reach
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
snow-wreath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
strandnounUS /strænd/
a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The camel, in all probability, had taken to the gorge, guided by its instincts, there to seek shelter from the sandstorm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The fact of its carrying a saddle showed that its owner must have been upon the march at the time it escaped from him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They might have been easily seen from the summit of any of the dunes to the rear; but there was not much likelihood of any one approaching them in that direction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The country inward appeared to be a labyrinth of sand-hills, with no opening that would indicate a passage for either man or beast.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There would be no danger, therefore, of their being discovered, by any one coming along the strand, provided they kept in a crouching attitude behind the ridge, which, sharply crested, like a snow-wreath, formed a sort of parapet in front of them.
