used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
exhale hard
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
Bob'snounUS /bɑːbz/
possessive form of “bob” — a former monetary unit in Great Britain
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
camel-back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
crestsnounUS /krests/
plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
driftsnounUS /drɪfts/
plural of “drift” — a force that moves something along
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
dunenounUS /duːn/
a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
dunesnounUS /duːnz/
plural of “dune” — a ridge of sand created by the wind; found in deserts or near lakes and oceans
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
exercisingnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzɪŋ/
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
the organ of sight
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
grassyadjectiveUS /ˈɡræsi/
abounding in grass
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
SaharanounUS /səˈherə/
the world's largest desert (3,500,000 square miles) in northern Africa
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
SiberianounUS /saɪˈbɪriə/
a vast Asian region of Russia; famous for long cold winters
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
steppesnounUS /steps/
plural of “steppe” — extensive plain without trees (associated with eastern Russia and Siberia)
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Bob rode along on camel-back in the lee of the sand dunes, there was never a thought of danger in his mind.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In the trough of these sandy waves he made his way forward, exercising care in advancing from the shelter of one dune to another to keep below the crests.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In appearance it was now to Bob’s eye like the sea when waves were kicking up.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
at the time that
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Sahara is not like the great grassy steppes of Siberia or the plains of western America, which are flat and level as a table top and across which one can see for miles in every direction.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On the contrary, this great African desert is filled with shifting sand dunes, low hills of sand, which are whipped away when the strong winds blow and change their position, piling up in new drifts.
