used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
complacentlyadverbUS /kəmˈpleɪsəntli/
in a self-satisfied manner
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
dangersnounUS /ˈdeɪndʒərz/
plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
Daring's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
DiamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/
a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
pathwaynounUS /ˈpæθweɪ/
a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
postboy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
prickedverbUS /prɪkt/
past form of “prick” — make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
Raggles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
SnapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
having a supporting base
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
undergroundadjectiveUS /ˈʌndərɡraʊnd/
under the level of the ground
From this reading It was too dark for him to see more than that the underground pathway descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
not known
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before entering the unknown dangers of the mysterious cave, Little Snap had seen that Jack was standing a short distance away, as complacently as might be.
at the time that
From this reading The postboy's body was inside the mouth of the cavern when he had begun the speech to Mrs. Raggles.
whinnyverb
make a characteristic sound, of a horse
From this reading The intelligent animal pricked up his ears, and answered with a low whinny.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "If I do not come back, Jack, go on to Daring's Diamond with the mail," he said, speaking as if to a human being.
