AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
asunderadjectiveUS /əˈsʌndər/
widely separated especially in space
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
boundlessadjectiveUS /ˈbaʊndləs/
seemingly boundless in amount, number, degree, or especially extent
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
brinenounUS /braɪn/
water containing salts
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
crumblingverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
cryverbUS /kraɪ/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
destructionnounUS /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
drivingadjectiveUS /ˈdraɪvɪŋ/
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
freeverbUS /friː/
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
landnounUS /lænd/
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
listensverbUS /ˈlɪsənz/
third-person singular of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
magnificentadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/
characterized by grandeur
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
moannounUS /moʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
mountainsnounUS /ˈmaʊntənz/
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
of an obscure nature
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
northwesternadjectiveUS /ˌnɔːrˈθwestərn/
situated in or oriented toward the northwest
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
oceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
palacesnounUS /ˈpæləsəz/
plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
playverbUS /pleɪ/
participate in games or sport
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
reachesnounUS /ˈriːtʃəz/
plural of “reach” — the limits within which something can be effective
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
reflectingadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪŋ/
causing reflection or having a device that reflects
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
sharplyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpli/
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
silentlyadverbUS /ˈsaɪləntli/
without speaking
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
structuresnounUS /ˈstrʌktʃərz/
plural of “structure” — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
takingnounUS /ˈteɪkɪŋ/
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading A misty February twilight is descending over the ocean.
undisturbedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/
untroubled by interference or disturbance
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/
not known
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading But no cry, no moan, no crash of the fall reaches the earth--the monstrous play of shadows is noiseless; and the great surface of the ocean, as though ready for something, as though waiting for something, reflecting it faintly, listens to it in silence.
wakeverbUS /weɪk/
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The newly fallen snow has melted and the warm air is heavy and damp.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The northwestern wind from the sea is driving it silently toward the mainland, bringing in its wake a sharply fragrant mixture of brine, of boundless space, of undisturbed, free and mysterious distances.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the sky, where the sun is setting, a noiseless destruction of an unknown city, of an unknown land, is taking place; structures, magnificent palaces with towers, are crumbling; mountains are silently splitting asunder and, bending slowly, are tumbling down.
