Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

(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 And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

plural of “ambition” — a cherished desire

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

an upper floor projecting from the rear over the main floor in an auditorium

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

brought into existence

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

toward the east

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

a social unit living together

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

with fondness; with love

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

prudent

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

plural of “guardian” — a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

held dear

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

a particular point in time

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

inspired by love for your country

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

past form of “steep” — devote (oneself) fully to

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

going directly ahead from one point to another without veering or turning aside

From this reading For a moment he forgot his ambitions and the long unswerving pursuit of his great desire.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The love of his country was born in the man--the better part of him was steeped in patriotic fervour.

past form of “welcome” — accept gladly

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

toward the west

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

in or at the place that

From this reading And most of all, he loved this ancient city amongst the hills, the capital of the State, where many generations of his family had lived and died.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.

during the time that

From this reading A roar of greeting welcomed his appearance, and while he waited for silence his eyes rested fondly upon the long line of iron-bound hills, stern and silent guardians of the city of his birth.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading Almost as the man stepped out on to the massive stone balcony of his house, the wind dropped, and a red flaring sun dipped behind the towering mountains which guarded the city westwards and eastwards.