used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
(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 Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And we were being marched directly toward it.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
cylindernounUS /ˈsɪləndər/
a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
without deviation
From this reading And we were being marched directly toward it.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
half-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
loomverbUS /luːm/
come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading And we were being marched directly toward it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
ObscuredverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrd/
past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
quarter-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
rampnounUS /ræmp/
an inclined surface connecting two levels
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
sky-flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
slantverbUS /slænt/
lie obliquely
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading And we were being marched directly toward it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
directed up
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading That great pile seemed to loom higher and higher as we drew near it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And we were being marched directly toward it.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A quarter-mile from the building, the flat street we followed ended, changed to a wide, smooth ramp that led up toward the giant edifice in a slight upward slant.
widthnounUS /wɪdθ/
the extent of something from side to side
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
winkingnounUS /ˈwɪŋkɪŋ/
a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly
From this reading Brilliant, winking lights along its sides outlined it against the gloom of night, a huge, erect cylinder of smooth stone, its flat top all of a thousand feet in width, and nearly a half-mile above the ground.
but in spite of that
From this reading Obscured as the immense edifice was by the darkness, yet the vague glimpses I got of its sky-flung walls staggered me.
