adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
affairsnounUS /əˈferz/
matters of personal concern
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
aversionnounUS /əˈvɜːrʒən/
a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
awokeverbUS /əˈwoʊk/
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
burrowingverbUS /ˈbɜːroʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “burrow” — move through by or as by digging
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
cavenounUS /keɪv/
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
choseverbUS /tʃoʊz/
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
constantadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstənt/
unvarying in nature
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
CounselsnounUS /ˈkaʊnsəlz/
plural of “counsel” — a lawyer who pleads cases in court
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
endurable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
goatsnounUS /ɡoʊts/
plural of “goat” — any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
GoblinnounUS /ˈɡɑːblɪn/
(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
goblinsnounUS /ˈɡɑːblɪnz/
plural of “goblin” — (folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
hungryadjectiveUS /ˈhʌŋɡri/
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
metverbUS /met/
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
molenounUS /moʊl/
the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
OnceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
peoplenounUS /ˈpiːpəl/
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
preferverbUS /prəˈfɜːr/
like better; value more highly
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
sheepnounUS /ʃiːp/
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
sleptverbUS /slept/
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/
to a sufficient degree
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
sun-people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading And indeed it was only when the sun was away that the outside of the mountain was sufficiently like their own dismal regions to be endurable to their mole eyes, so thoroughly had they become unaccustomed to any light beyond that of their own fires and torches.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading In the universal and constant darkness of their dwelling they had no reason to prefer the one arrangement to the other; but from aversion to the sun-people they chose to be busy when there was least chance of their being met either by the miners below, when they were burrowing, or by the people of the mountain above, when they were feeding their sheep or catching their goats.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
voicesnounUS /ˈvɔɪsəz/
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Once more, then, it was night; for the goblins slept during the day and went about their affairs during the night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were voices in the outer cave.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading Goblin Counsels He must have slept a long time, for when he awoke he felt wonderfully restored--indeed almost well--and very hungry.
