Chapter I

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

anew

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

the table in Christian churches where communion is given

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

an experience that appalls

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a braking device consisting of a combination of interacting parts that work to slow a motor vehicle

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

decree or designate beforehand

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

a mental representation of some haunting experience

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

malicious satisfaction

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

intense and profound fear

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

assets that are saleable though not material or physical

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a Scottish church

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

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 Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

plural of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

very unhappy; full of misery

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

on one occasion

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

burdened psychologically or mentally

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

above and across; more than

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

full of ruts

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

normal or sound powers of mind

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

sharp piercing cry

From this reading Brakes shrieking, the antiquated bus pitched down the rutted mountain road.

past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

morally degraded

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

in or at that place or location

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

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

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

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

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

impossible to break especially under ordinary usage

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

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

From this reading I had escaped it once; now I dared it again to set free Valyne Kirk.

plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.

evoking lifelike images within the mind

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I shuddered, for I felt that Creston was the unhappy ghost of a town, sprawling dead in this desolate vale.

an intricate network suggesting something that was formed by weaving or interweaving

From this reading _A vivid thrill-tale of the black altar on the hill-top, and the dark doom that hung over two lovers like a living horror--by the author of "Golden Blood"._ Beyond the miserable poverty of Creston, its squalid ignorance and its rotting antiquity, there is something more appalling--something that has always seemed to me like a colossal, invisible spider, gloating over the broken victims in its intangible, unbreakable web.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Carrying away all the sanity of the modern world, it left me alone and oppressed amid the sinister shadows of the time-crushed village.