used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
(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 Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
bleachedadjectiveUS /bliːtʃt/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
burrosnounUS /ˈbɜːroʊz/
plural of “burro” — small donkey used as a pack animal
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
discernibleadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnəbəl/
perceptible by the senses or intellect
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
the act of discovering something
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
domenounUS /doʊm/
a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
the organ of sight
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
half-buried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
hornedadjectiveUS /hɔːrnd/
having a horn or horns or hornlike parts or horns of a particular kind
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
huenounUS /hjuː/
the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
indolentlyadverb
in an indolent manner
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
the force of workers available
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
on one occasion
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
OnwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
packsnounUS /pæks/
plural of “pack” — a large indefinite number
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
except for; apart from
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
only a very short time before
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
skullnounUS /skʌl/
the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
specksnounUS /speks/
plural of “speck” — a very small spot
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
stationaryadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪʃəneri/
standing still
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
carry out
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Away in the blinding distance five specks appear, and finally are seen to be slowly on the move.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
vulturesnounUS /ˈvʌltʃərz/
plural of “vulture” — any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Once more in all this vast, dread waste moves nothing save the vultures indolently circling in the hot dome above.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading Onward they move slowly, and once more become mere specks, scarce discernible against the weird hue of the sky, then vanish altogether.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE WAY OF LIFE Sand, sand, sand--far as the eye can reach, a sea of sand, with here and there a half-buried and bleached horned skull, and vultures circling high above in the heavens.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Hours after this discovery, if an observer were to remain stationary, the specks take on the shapes of animal life--two men, a woman, and two burros bearing packs.
