used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
aforetime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
bridgingverbUS /ˈbrɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “bridge” — connect or reduce the distance between
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
colonel'snounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
possessive form of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
damnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
electricsnounUS /ɪˈlektrɪks/
plural of “electric” — a car that is powered by electricity
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
enlargingverbUS /ɪnˈlɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “enlarge” — make larger
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
gradationsnounUS /ɡreɪˈdeɪʃənz/
plural of “gradation” — relative position in a graded series
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
KentuckiannounUS /ˌkenˈtʌkiən/
a native or resident of Kentucky
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
knollnounUS /noʊl/
a small natural hill
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
lappingnounUS /ˈlæpɪŋ/
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
loomingverbUS /ˈluːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
the light of the Moon
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
plantverbUS /plænt/
put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
reservoirnounUS /ˈrezəvwɑːr/
a large or extra supply of something
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
submergedadjectiveUS /səbˈmɜːrdʒd/
beneath the surface of the water
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
carry out
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
a special situation
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
tree-crownings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/
clearly evident to the mind
From this reading But the curious thing was the lights, unmistakable electrics, as aforetime, twinkling through the tree-crownings of the knoll.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
the topmost one of two
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old king's palace was looming vast in the moonlight, with a broad sea of silver to take the place of the brown valley level in the bridging of the middle distance.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Kentuckian left the porch and went to the edge of the mesa cliff to look down upon the flood, rising now by imperceptible gradations as the enlarging area of the reservoir lake demanded more water.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The lapping tide was fully half way up the back wall of the dam, which meant that the colonel's power plant at the mouth of the upper canyon must be submerged past using.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the first eastward glance he sprang up with an exclamation of astonishment.
