Chapter III · Chapter 3

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

Having no one else present.

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

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

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

causing inconvenience

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

being very thin

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

make calm or still

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

a young person of either sex

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

hold firmly and tightly

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

an engagement fought between two military forces

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

in disagreement

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

the first light of day

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

exercising influence or control

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

something that provides access (to get in or get out)

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

past form of “falter” — be unsure or weak

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

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

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

plural of “gale” — a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

a long fixed look

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

a young female

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

possessive form of “girl” — a young female

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

the act of grasping

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

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

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

past form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

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 His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

the act of departing

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

straightened out

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

imposing in size or bulk or solidity

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

subject to death

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

-ing form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

and nothing more

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

characterized by active hostility

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

plural of “passion” — a strong feeling or emotion

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

-ing form of “pity” — share the suffering of

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

showing firm determination or purpose

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

a teacher and prophet born in Bethlehem and active in Nazareth; his life and sermons form the basis for Christianity (circa 4 BC - AD 29)

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

move or cause to move back and forth

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

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

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

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

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

in the direction of

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading For several minutes he stood thus, his conflicting passions swaying him, as opposing gales shake a giant forest tree.

an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

not known

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

a vivid mental image

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

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

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

in or at the place that

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

showing pensive sadness

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His dominant will, hitherto the only law he knew, was in mortal combat with a new and unknown force that for the first time had entered his life.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading He had followed his child without a tremor into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but at the entrance of this new life, where he must let her go alone, his courage failed and his spirit faltered.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Then he resolutely loosened his grip on the girl's arm and taking up his burden, without a word or a backward glance, set his face toward the hills, leaving an awkward, wistful girl watching him with her tears only half obscuring the vision that was already dawning for her.

past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The old mountaineer's one hand closed on the girl's bony arm in a tight clasp, his shoulders heaved, and his massive features worked, but his gaze never left the calm, pitying face of the Saviour overhead.