used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
a youthful male person
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
breaksnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
the act of departing
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
gutternounUS /ˈɡʌtər/
a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
an opening into or through something
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
attach to a support
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
shadowily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
shinglesnounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəlz/
eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
spotsnounUS /spɑːts/
spots before the eyes caused by opaque cell fragments in the vitreous humor and lens
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
STARTLINGadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading A STARTLING SIGHT A flash of the lantern showed the slope of the roof and a broken tin gutter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
the upper part of anything
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
directed up
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
waveringnounUS /ˈweɪvərɪŋ/
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
in or at the place that
From this reading He began to climb upward, picking his way along the top of the roof with a certain foot, knowing the breaks and the rough spots where he could travel in safety.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the man with the lantern evidently knew his territory, for he stepped from the top of the ladder and his foot descended to the roof, resting in a hole which the elements had eaten through the shingles.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without wavering he pressed on and reached the top of the house, where a crooked chimney was shadowily revealed in the glow of the light.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Plainly the intention of the man was to mount this roof and the watching boy wondered how he was going to do it, as there was a decided slope to the house covering.
