used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
the state of being absent
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
accountedverbUS /əˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “account” — be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
being joined in close association
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
calculationsnounUS /ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “calculation” — the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
couplingsnounUS /ˈkʌplɪŋz/
plural of “coupling” — a connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move together
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
ever-increasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
foremastnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
set up or found
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
junctionnounUS /ˈdʒʌŋkʃən/
the place where two or more things come together
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
looselyadverbUS /ˈluːsli/
in a relaxed manner; not rigid
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
LOTTERYnounUS /ˈlɑːtəri/
something that is regarded as a chance event
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
Maseden's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
on one occasion
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
without much difficulty
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
rigiditynounUS /rɪˈdʒɪdəti/
the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
sanguineadjectiveUS /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/
confidently optimistic and cheerful
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading It was impossible to determine how the other end of that precarious bridge was secured.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
staysnounUS /steɪz/
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
push forcefully
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus far, his most sanguine calculations had been justified to the letter.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
topmastnoun
the mast next above a lower mast and topmost in a fore-and-aft rig
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock 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 When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE LOTTERY Maseden's prolonged absence on the first occasion was readily accounted for by what he had done.
at the time that
From this reading When he reached the end of the foremast--at the junction of spars known to the sailor as the couplings--he found that the topmast was, in fact, thrust tightly against the rock wall.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He saw at once, however, that a great strain was being placed already on the stays which attached it, by chance and loosely at first, but now with ever-increasing rigidity, to the lower mast.
