used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
beetlingadjective
jutting or overhanging
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the act of breaking something
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
one or the other of two
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
encampmentnounUS /ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt/
a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
faggots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
Ghibba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
heapingverbUS /ˈhiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
howlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
immediately past
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the act of departing
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
limpedverbUS /lɪmpt/
past form of “limp” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
the force of workers available
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
mountain-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
Mulgar-pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
NodverbUS /nɑːd/
express or signify by nodding
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
a course of conduct
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
in the near future
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/
from appearances alone
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/
plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
Thimble's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And now that the moon was near her setting, dark grew the air.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Nod, sitting beside Thimble's litter, watched them for some time, and presently he fancied he heard a distant howling, not from the darkness below, but seemingly from the heights above the Mulgar-pass.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
which person or people
From this reading He rose and limped along to Ghibba, who was busy about the fires.
belonging to which person
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The Men of the Mountains had at last ceased to call their lost companions, and on either side of the path were breaking up their faggots and building fires, leaving two wide spaces beneath the beetling rock for their encampment between the fires.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why are you heaping up such large fires?" he said, "and whose, Man of the Mountains, are those howlings I heard from the mountain-tops?"
