used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
(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 Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
from appearances alone
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
awaitverbUS /əˈweɪt/
look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
breathlesslyadverbUS /ˈbreθləsli/
in a breathless manner
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
dreadingverbUS /ˈdredɪŋ/
-ing form of “dread” — be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
an opposing military force
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading There was no escape.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
HemmedverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
MAN'SnounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no escape.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
and nothing more
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
robbedverbUS /rɑːbd/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
be seated
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
not in physical motion
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
stonyadjectiveUS /ˈstoʊni/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
SUNGnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no escape.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
in or at the place that
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
