used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
(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 Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then Burl turned and peered before him.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
BondagenounUS /ˈbɑːndɪdʒ/
the state of being under the control of a force or influence or abstract power
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
BurlnounUS /bɜːrl/
the wood cut from a tree burl or outgrowth; often used decoratively in veneer
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
businessesnounUS /ˈbɪznəsəz/
plural of “business” — a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
centraladjectiveUS /ˈsentrəl/
serving as an essential component
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
clusteredadjectiveUS /ˈklʌstərd/
growing close together but not in dense mats
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
colorfuladjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərfəl/
having much or varied color
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
currentsnounUS /ˈkɜːrənts/
plural of “current” — a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
one or the other of two
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
moving swiftly
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
foothillsnounUS /ˈfʊthɪlz/
plural of “foothill” — a relatively low hill on the lower slope of a mountain
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
fungoidadjective
resembling fungi
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then Burl turned and peered before him.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
indefinitenessnoun
the quality of being vague and poorly defined
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
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 The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
marshnounUS /mɑːrʃ/
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
meanderedverbUS /miˈændərd/
past form of “meander” — to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
meltingnounUS /ˈmeltɪŋ/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
become covered with mist
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
morassnounUS /mərˈæs/
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Then Burl turned and peered before him.
purposelesslyadverb
without a clear purpose
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
raftsnounUS /ræfts/
a large number or amount
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
reassembleverbUS /ˌriːəˈsembəl/
assemble once again, after taking something apart
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
steepernounUS /ˈstiːpər/
a vessel (usually a pot or vat) used for steeping
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Hills appeared on either side of the stream, which grew higher and steeper, as if the foothills of a mountain chain.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
tribefolk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then Burl turned and peered before him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Out of Bondage The mist was heavy and thick, and through it the flying creatures darted upon their innumerable businesses, visible for an instant in all their colorful beauty, then melting slowly into indefiniteness as they sped away.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading The tribefolk on the clustered rafts watched them as they darted overhead, and for hours the little squadron of fungoid vessels floated slowly through the central channel of the marsh.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The river had split into innumerable currents which meandered purposelessly through the glistening black mud of the swamp, but after a long time they seemed to reassemble, and Burl could see what had caused the vast morass.
