Chapter VIII

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

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

the state of being absent

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

(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 Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

travel up

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

the woman who guided Dante through Paradise in the Divine Comedy

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

plural of “climber” — a vine or climbing plant that readily grows up a support or over other plants

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

earlier in time; previously

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

start firing a weapon

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

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

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

temporary military shelter

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

plural of “interruption” — an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

something that is lost

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

not one, and not any

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

held or filled or in use

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

and nothing more

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

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

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

with speed

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

get by special effort

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

a person, without saying who

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

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

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

a kitchen appliance used for cooking food

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

required or under orders

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had retired to rest in the loft, purposing to ascend the Blümlisalphorn the next day.

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

From this reading Steimathen had quickly discovered, by the remains of a fire in the stove, that somebody had preceded them; but this fact he had not happened to name to the girls.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

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

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

not known

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.

precisely as stated

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

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

From this reading IN AN AVALANCHE THE Hut was not, as Amy and Beatrice had supposed, occupied only by themselves, their guide and their porter.

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

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading As they meant to start in the very small hours of the morning, they were glad to get to sleep without loss of time; and by thus retreating to the loft they hoped to secure an absence of interruptions.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Unknown to them all, two guideless climbers had arrived earlier—none other than the young English clergyman and his friend.