used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
admiringverbUS /ædˈmaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “admire” — feel admiration for
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
move towards
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading The Maipa probably belongs to the Orinoco watershed.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
Chitu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
forded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
in a gradual manner
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
grassesnounUS /ˈɡræsəz/
plural of “grass” — narrow-leaved green herbage: grown as lawns; used as pasture for grazing animals; cut and dried as hay
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
head-waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
HighlandsnounUS /ˈhaɪləndz/
a mountainous region of northern Scotland famous for its rugged beauty; known for the style of dress (the kilt and tartan) and the clan system (now in disuse)
From this reading R. L. STEVENSON: _In the Highlands_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading R. L. STEVENSON: _In the Highlands_.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading R. L. STEVENSON: _In the Highlands_.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
Maipa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
march in a procession
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
mightieradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪtiər/
comparative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
and nothing more
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
orchidnounUS /ˈɔːrkəd/
any of numerous plants of the orchid family usually having flowers of unusual shapes and beautiful colors
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
OrinoconounUS /ˌɔːrəˈnoʊkoʊ/
a South American river 1,500 miles long; flows into the South Atlantic
From this reading The Maipa probably belongs to the Orinoco watershed.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
passesnounUS /ˈpæsəz/
plural of “pass” — (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The Maipa probably belongs to the Orinoco watershed.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
a unit of radiation exposure; the dose of ionizing radiation that will produce 1 electrostatic unit of electricity in 1 cc of dry air
From this reading R. L. STEVENSON: _In the Highlands_.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
riversnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
RORAIMA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
cut with a saw
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
sluggishadjectiveUS /ˈslʌɡɪʃ/
moving slowly
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
STEVENSONnounUS /ˈstiːvənsən/
Scottish author (1850-1894)
From this reading R. L. STEVENSON: _In the Highlands_.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
VENEZUELANnounUS /ˌvenɪzˈweɪlən/
a native or inhabitant of Venezuela
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading On the projecting branch of a tree a glorious purple orchid, the only one we saw during our journey, was admiring its reflection in the water.
watershednounUS /ˈwɔːtərʃed/
a ridge of land that separates two adjacent river systems
From this reading The Maipa probably belongs to the Orinoco watershed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE VENEZUELAN APPROACH TO RORAIMA There, among the flowers and grasses, Only the mightier movement sounds and passes; Only the winds and rivers, Life and death.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From the ridge above the head-waters of the Chitu we descended gently, and after fifteen minutes’ march we forded the Maipa, a deep, sluggish stream, with a belt of forest at its farther side.
