used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
Abe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
matters of personal concern
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
backbonenounUS /ˈbækboʊn/
a central cohesive source of support and stability
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
BlowernounUS /ˈbloʊər/
a device that produces a current of air
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
a state at a particular time
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
Dave's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
LANDSLIDEnounUS /ˈlændslaɪd/
an overwhelming electoral victory
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
minernounUS /ˈmaɪnər/
laborer who works in a mine
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
not any; not one
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
nuther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
SEARCHINGadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
possessing sweep
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading SEARCHING FOR THE LANDSLIDE MINE Lost underground!
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
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 "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a terrible condition of affairs to contemplate, and for an instant Dave's heart almost stopped beating and something like a chill swept down his backbone.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "An' we don't want to lose no time nuther," added the old miner.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What if they should be unable to find their way out of the rocky cave?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "We'll have to go back," said Abe Blower, in a low voice, after a pause, in which the three of the party had gazed around at the walls of the cavern and at each other.
