Chapter IV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

put in effect

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

(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 Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

in addition

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

intense and continuous artillery fire

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

plural of “catch” — a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

an athlete who plays cricket

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

coming down or downward

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

(often used in combination) having a specified direction

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

very good; of the highest quality

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

characteristic of or resembling Hell

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

a compact mass

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

the force of workers available

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

on one occasion

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

perfected or made shiny and smooth

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

compacted by ironing

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

plural of “scratch” — an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

move stealthily

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

made steady or constant

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Bennen was first, and I followed him, while the stones flew thick beside and between us.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading My excellent guide thought of me more than of himself, and once caught upon the handle of his axe, as a cricketer catches a ball upon his bat, a lump which might have finished my climbing.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

during the time that

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mere scratches in the ice, however, were all the axe could accomplish, and on these we steadied ourselves with the energy of desperate men.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without steps of some kind we dared not set foot on the slope, and these had to be cut while the stone shower was falling on us.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading While this infernal cannonade was directed upon us we hung upon a slope of snow which had been pressed and polished to ice by the descending stones, and so steep that a single slip would have converted us into an avalanche also.