used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading GROPING IN THE DARK.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
obtain
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
GROPINGadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading GROPING IN THE DARK.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GROPING IN THE DARK.
inextricablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnekstrɪkʌbli/
in an inextricable manner
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
marksmannounUS /ˈmɑːrksmən/
someone skilled in shooting
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
the force of workers available
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
MurphynounUS /ˈmɜːrfi/
an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
Shawanoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
in the near future
From this reading The red men had located the dangerous marksman, and would soon gain access to him.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GROPING IN THE DARK.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading If they chose, they could swim the stream below, as he had done, and there must be other points above where the walls approached near enough to allow them to jump across.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If two or three succeeded in getting to the rear of his position (and what was to prevent it?) he would be caught inextricably in a trap.
in or at the place that
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Larry Murphy, after his daring check of the Shawanoes in their attempt to leap the torrent, was sufficiently wise to see that it would not do for him to remain where he was.
