used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
BILLINGSnounUS /ˈbɪlɪŋz/
the largest city in Montana; located in southern Montana on the Yellowstone river
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
damnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
recognizable; marked
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
drop-offnounUS /ˈdrɑːpɔːf/
a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
emergenciesnounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsiz/
plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
feather-weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
GLENDIVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
intakenounUS /ˈɪnteɪk/
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
and nothing more
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
the force of workers available
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
portaging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
power-dam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
power-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
on the contrary
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was against just such emergencies as this that I had provided my feather-weight outfit.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BILLINGS TO GLENDIVE Getting round the power-dam did not prove a serious problem.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
hard to endure
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was probably true, but as landing on the almost perpendicular cliff immediately above the drop-off looked a bit precarious I decided in favour of being safe by portaging rather than run the chance of being sorry through trying to line down.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading A wooden skiff of the size of my steel one would have required at least four men to lift it up the forty-five degree slope of the bank above the intake of the power canal.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The night man at the power-house told me it would be possible to land on the right side and let the boat down over a series of "steps" that had been built at that end of the dam.
