Chapter XXXIX · Beneath the Precipice

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

(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 “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

to strive with determination

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

prepare a hot meal

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

a hired hand who tends cattle and performs other duties on horseback

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

someone who is a detective

From this reading Dick was nothing loth to fall to.

a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Dick was nothing loth to fall to.

provide as food

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

set up or found

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

wear away by rubbing

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

cooked by frying in fat

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

of great mass; huge and bulky

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

a small worthless amount

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading Dick was nothing loth to fall to.

the main island of the Philippines

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

the food served and eaten at one time

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

the middle of the day

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

(of a new kind or fashion) gratuitously new

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Dick was nothing loth to fall to.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

plural of “onion” — the bulb of an onion plant

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

the manner in which something is greeted

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

plural of “sauce” — flavorful relish or dressing or topping served as an accompaniment to food

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

hot enough to burn with or as if with a hissing sound

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

block consisting of a thick piece of something

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

To perceive flavor through the mouth.

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had been too excited to do more than taste the midday meal that Pierre Luzon had prepared for him in the cavern.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Dick was nothing loth to fall to.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

in the company of; together with

From this reading WILLOUGHBY had found his friends Munson and Jack Rover at Buck Ashley’s old store, eagerly awaiting his coming, with a fine supper sizzling on the cook stove, prepared in Jack’s finest professional cowboy style.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “We’ve got to feed you up a bit, I reckon,” grinned Jack, as he slipped the Gargantuan slab of beef-steak from the griller on to the big hot dish waiting for its reception.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “And some potatoes, too,” he went on, “not forgetting the fried onions that beat all your newfangled sauces to a frazzle.”