used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
ascertainedadjectiveUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
Ayrton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
basalticadjective
of or relating to or containing basalt
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
CyrusnounUS /ˈsaɪrəs/
Persian prince who was defeated in battle by his brother Artaxerxes II (424-401 BC)
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
one or the other of two
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
ellipticaladjectiveUS /ɪˈlɪptɪkəl/
rounded like an egg
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
set afire or burning
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
Nebnoun
a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
Pencroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
ruddernounUS /ˈrʌdər/
a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Solemn silence reigned in this basaltic cavern.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a moment the settlers were in the boat.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
