used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
the state of being absent
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
a youthful male person
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
chozas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
coursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
take in liquids
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
flumenounUS /fluːm/
a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
GabrielnounUS /ˈɡeɪbriəl/
(Bible) the archangel who was the messenger of God
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
gurglingverbUS /ˈɡɜːrɡəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “gurgle” — flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
gutternounUS /ˈɡʌtər/
a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
inexplicablyadverbUS /ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
Jacinto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
MinasnounUS /ˈmiːnəs/
plural of “mina” — tropical Asian starlings
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
MoorishnounUS /ˈmʊrɪʃ/
a style of architecture common in Spain from the 13th to 16th centuries; characterized by horseshoe-shaped arches
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
and nothing more
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
Quesada
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
sewagenounUS /ˈsuːədʒ/
waste matter carried away in sewers or drains
From this reading Before the other huts had been built a covered wooden flume, as for the carrying off of sewage.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
SierranounUS /siˈerə/
a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
spansnounUS /spænz/
plural of “span” — the complete duration of something
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
temptverbUS /tempt/
dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
thatchnounUS /θætʃ/
hair resembling thatched roofing material
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
very small
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
Villarobledo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
in or at the place that
From this reading Where the huts had stood were now only empty spans.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
white-hairedadjective
showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
widowedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪdoʊd/
single because of death of the spouse
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Down the old Moorish gutter in the center of the uneven street coursed a clear quick stream with cold reflections and tiny gurgling noises that seemed to tempt one to drink.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading Gone utterly--mud and thatch and wooden shutters--were the chozas in which the widowed mother of the mountain boy, Gabriel, had lain sick and the white-haired Villarobledo had died.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading To Jacinto Quesada, returned after an absence of over a week, the village of Minas de la Sierra wore an inexplicably strange appearance.
