used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
diversifiedadjectiveUS /daɪˈvɜːrsəfaɪd/
having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
Donovan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
one or the other of two
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
at any time
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
gashverbUS /ɡæʃ/
cut open
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
guidancenounUS /ˈɡaɪdəns/
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
ten 10s
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
layernounUS /ˈleɪər/
single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
MoorenounUS /mʊr/
United States composer of works noted for their use of the American vernacular (1893-1969)
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
not any; not one
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
go across or through
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
realiseverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪz/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
retainingverbUS /rɪˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “retain” — hold back within
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Apparently the ravine was a mere gash in the surface of the desert plain, to be originally discovered purely through accident.
a just detectable amount
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
unerringlyadverb
without making errors
From this reading How Moore had ever driven so unerringly to the spot was a mystery.
not known
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
utilisedadjective
put to use
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The passage was so narrow, and so diversified by sharp turns, that Miss Donovan, shut in behind the closed cover, could perceive little of its nature.
wheel-marks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading One might pass a hundred yards to either side, and never realise its existence, the hard rock, covered by a thin layer of sand, retaining no trace of wheel-marks in guidance.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet he had done so, and now the team was slowly creeping down the narrow ledge utilised as a road, the slipping wheels securely locked, as they drifted here and there about the sharp corners, ever descending into the unknown depths.
