adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
agenounUS /eɪdʒ/
how long something has existed
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
apartadverbUS /əˈpɑːrt/
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
aroseverbUS /ərˈoʊz/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
beckoningverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
citadelnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
city'snounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
possessive form of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
domenounUS /doʊm/
a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
domesnounUS /doʊmz/
plural of “dome” — a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
dreamedadjectiveUS /driːmd/
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
dreamsnounUS /driːmz/
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
effigies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
godsnounUS /ɡɑːdz/
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
heavennounUS /ˈhevən/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
lionsnounUS /ˈlaɪənz/
plural of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
marblenounUS /ˈmɑːrbəl/
a hard crystalline metamorphic rock that takes a high polish; used for sculpture and as building material
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
midmostadjective
being in the exact middle
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
midstnounUS /mɪdst/
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
OnceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
onyxnounUS /ˈɑːnɪks/
a chalcedony with alternating black and white bands; used in making cameos
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
pinnacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
servantnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənt/
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
sleepingnounUS /ˈsliːpɪŋ/
the state of being asleep
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
stepsnounUS /steps/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
stridingverbUS /ˈstraɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “stride” — walk with long steps
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
swarthyadjectiveUS /ˈswɔːrði/
naturally having skin of a dark color
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
symbolsnounUS /ˈsɪmbəlz/
plural of “symbol” — an arbitrary sign (written or printed) that has acquired a conventional significance
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
thousandnounUS /ˈθaʊzənd/
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
TimenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
valleynounUS /ˈvæli/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading There in a valley that from all the earth the gods had set apart for Their repose the gods dreamed marble dreams.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading In the city’s midst the gleaming marble of a thousand steps climbed to the citadel where arose four pinnacles beckoning to heaven, and midmost between the pinnacles there stood the dome, vast, as the gods had dreamed it.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And with domes and pinnacles the dreams arose and stood up proudly between the river and the sky, all shimmering white to the morning.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading All around, terrace by terrace, there went marble lawns well guarded by onyx lions and carved with effigies of all the gods striding amid the symbols of the worlds.
youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Once when the gods were young and only Their swarthy servant Time was without age, the gods lay sleeping by a broad river upon earth.
