Chapter X · Chapter 10

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

third-person singular of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a member of an indigenous people of northern Africa

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “divide” — a serious disagreement between two groups of people (typically producing tension or hostility)

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

moving toward the east

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

opinion or judgment

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

being eight more than fifty

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

cause to stop

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

toward home

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

ten 10s

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

a sock or stocking that reaches up to just below the knees

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

held up in the air

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

plural of “mound” — (baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

the world's longest river (4150 miles); flows northward through eastern Africa into the Mediterranean; the Nile River valley in Egypt was the site of the world's first great civilization

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

not any; not one

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the middle of the day

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a native or inhabitant of Nubia

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

inflected form of “occur” — come to pass

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

the act of putting something in working order again

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

continuously varying

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

abounding in rocks or stones

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “stretch” — a large and unbroken expanse or distance

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

doomed to extinction

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In this particular May there could be no spot more desolate than the wells of Obak.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading On the deserted track between Berber and Suakin the wells of Obak are sunk deep amongst mounds of shifting sand.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

gully or streambed in northern Africa and the Middle East that remains dry except during rainy season

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)

From this reading THE WELLS OF OBAK In that month of May Durrance lifted his eyes from Wadi Halfa and began eagerly to look homeward.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.

toward the west

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Eastward a belt of trees divides the dunes from a hard stony plain built upon with granite hills; westward the desert stretches for fifty-eight waterless miles to Mahobey and Berber on the Nile, a desert so flat that the merest tuft of grass knee-high seems at the distance of a mile a tree promising shade for a noonday halt, and a pile of stones no bigger than one might see by the side of any roadway in repair achieves the stature of a considerable hill.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But in the contrary direction, five hundred miles to the south of his frontier town, on the other side of the great Nubian desert and the Belly of Stones, the events of real importance to him were occurring without his knowledge.