used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
destroyed or killed
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
an opening into or through something
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I looked at it, and said:
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
not any; not one
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
obstaclenounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
orenounUS /ɔːr/
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
in the near future
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
rudely-dug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I looked at it, and said:
señor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
stalactites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
be standing; be upright
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Now, señor, I think that we shall have to go back.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
up to a particular time
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
at the time that
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Along this tunnel we went for thirty or forty paces, creeping over the fallen boulders, and twisting ourselves between the brown stalactites that in the course of ages had formed upon the roof and floor, till presently we reached an obstacle that barred our further progress; a huge mass of rock which at some time or other had fallen from the roof of the tunnel and blocked it.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading When I had gone a few paces down the hole, it widened suddenly, so that we were able to stand upright and light our candles.
windings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now there was no doubt that we were in the tunnel of an old mine, a rudely-dug shaft that turned this way and that as it followed the windings of the ore body.
