used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
ascendverbUS /əˈsend/
travel up
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
beetlingadjective
jutting or overhanging
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
clefts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
without stop or interruption
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading Finally, to my great joy, we reached the crest of the mountain.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
dizzyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪzi/
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally, to my great joy, we reached the crest of the mountain.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
to a considerable degree
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Finally, to my great joy, we reached the crest of the mountain.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
for more time
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
looselyadverbUS /ˈluːsli/
in a relaxed manner; not rigid
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Finally, to my great joy, we reached the crest of the mountain.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
not any; not one
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
precipices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Finally, to my great joy, we reached the crest of the mountain.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
shrunkverbUS /ʃrʌŋk/
inflected form of “shrink” — wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
silkenadjectiveUS /ˈsɪlkən/
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
skirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːrtɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
thrustingnounUS /ˈθrʌstɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
undulations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no longer a foothold for the pines, and their places were supplied by low bushes, thrusting their roots deep in the clefts, and clinging like vines to the faces of the rocks.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The features of the great valley which we had left were no longer distinguishable.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What we had regarded as mountains there, now shrunk into simple undulations, like folds in some silken robe, thrown loosely on the ground.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For a day and a half we continued to ascend, now skirting dizzy precipices, and next stealing along cautiously beneath beetling rocks, which hung heavily on the brow of the mountain.
