Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
accumulate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
aerial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
ANTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE ANTS.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
basin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
brooks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
burst
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From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
cataract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
causing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
changing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
compact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
containing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
Contrary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
districts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
duration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
entire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
fluid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
fortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
furrowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
inundations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
inverse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
lakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
latitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
magnitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
ordinarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
outpour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
overflow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
plains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
ratio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
ravines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
refuge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
rivers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
separate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
storms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
suggest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
temperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
tempests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
torrents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
vapour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
violence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
volumes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The storm had now burst in full fury, and fortunate it was that a refuge had been found.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading It is hard to understand whence such volumes of vapour and electric fluid can accumulate.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
WHITE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHITE ANTS.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Contrary, too, to the storms of higher latitudes, of which the duration seems ordinarily to be in inverse ratio to their violence, these African tempests, whatever their magnitude, often last for whole days, furrowing the soil into deep ravines, changing plains to lakes and brooks to torrents, and causing rivers to overflow and cover vast districts with their inundations.
zones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain did not fall in separate drops as in temperate zones, but descended like the waters of a cataract, in one solid and compact mass, in a way that could only suggest the outpour of some vast aerial basin containing the waters of an entire ocean.
