used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
abyssnounUS /əˈbɪs/
a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
astrideadverbUS /əˈstraɪd/
with one leg on each side
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
have
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
entangledadjectiveUS /enˈtæŋɡəld/
deeply involved especially in something complicated
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
to or in any or all places
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
Finette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
gapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
jerkverbUS /dʒɜːrk/
pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
not one, and not any
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The branches of the oak nearly crushed the children as it fell.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
uttered with a trill
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
the act of searching for something
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
transport commercially
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Alas! there was neither bark nor ship.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
at the time that
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The giant seated himself astride the huge tree, which bent under his weight, and crept slowly along, suspended between heaven and earth, entangled as he was among the branches.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The giant ran backward and forward along the abyss, like a bear in his cage, seeking a passage everywhere and finding none; then, with a furious jerk, he tore up an immense oak by the roots and flung it across the gap.
Yvon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the other side, Yvon and Finette were already on the shore, with the sea rolling before them.
