used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
AdamnounUS /ˈædəm/
(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
dominatedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːməneɪtəd/
controlled or ruled by superior authority or power
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
dusky-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
coins made of gold
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
not accessible to view
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
lonesomeadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnsəm/
being the only one; single and isolated from others
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
an unmarried girl (especially a virgin)
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
majesticadjectiveUS /məˈdʒestɪk/
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
engage in
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
MargaritanounUS /ˌmɑːrɡərˈiːtə/
a cocktail made of tequila and triple sec with lime and lemon juice
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
marvelousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
mesquites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
go across or through
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
ponderingadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
realizationnounUS /ˈriːləˈzeɪʃən/
coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading The majestic scene, beautiful and sad, needed life to make it perfect.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
not in physical motion
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
tintsnounUS /tɪnts/
plural of “tint” — a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
From this reading The air seemed full of marvelous tints of gold and rose and purple.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
at the time that
From this reading The realization came to Adam at the still sunset hour when he and Margarita were watching the river slide like a gleam of gold out of the west.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading So as the slow, solemn days drifted onward, like the wonderful river which dominated the desert valley, it came to pass that the dreaming, pondering Adam suddenly awakened to the danger in this dusky-eyed maiden.
but in spite of that
From this reading They were walking among the scattered mesquites along the sandy bank, a place lonesome and hidden from the village behind, yet open to the wide space of river and valley beyond.
