used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
achedverbUS /eɪkt/
past form of “ache” — feel physical pain
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
AMPERDOO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
brainsnounUS /breɪnz/
plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
lacking funds
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
dulyadverbUS /ˈduːli/
in accordance with what is appropriate or suitable for the circumstances
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
divisible by two
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
GOOD-BYEnounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
hammocksnounUS /ˈhæməks/
plural of “hammock” — a small natural hill
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
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 It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
Marchant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
held or filled or in use
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading It was a black oppressive night after a dull hot day.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
overcomingverbUS /ˈoʊvərkʌmɪŋ/
-ing form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
palisadesnounUS /ˌpælɪˈseɪdz/
plural of “palisade” — fortification consisting of a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
precisely, exactly
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
scalingnounUS /ˈskeɪlɪŋ/
the act of arranging in a graduated series
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
sleeping-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
not in physical motion
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
up to a particular time
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
at the time that
From this reading We had been duly counted into our long sleeping-room, and were lying panting in our hammocks, when the storm broke right above us.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW WE SAID GOOD-BYE TO AMPERDOO We were well into the summer by the time Le Marchant was fully fit to travel, and we had planned and pondered over that outer stockade till our brains ached with such unusual exercise, and still we did not see our way.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Then our chance came without a moment's warning, and we took it on the wing.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For the outer sentries were too thickly posted to offer any hopes of overcoming them, and even if we succeeded in getting past any certain one, the time occupied in scaling the outer palisades would be fatal to us.
