used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
(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 Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
on or to one side
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
bafflednounUS /ˈbæfəld/
people who are frustrated and perplexed
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
casknounUS /kæsk/
the quantity a cask will hold
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
Champe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
disposalnounUS /dɪˈspoʊzəl/
the power to use something or someone
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
dodge-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
DutchmannounUS /ˈdʌtʃmən/
a native or inhabitant of Holland
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
FailingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
flaggingnounUS /ˈflæɡɪŋ/
flagstones collectively
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
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 After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
mortarnounUS /ˈmɔːrtər/
a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
possessing sweep
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/
plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “He couldn’t open this dodge-way, himself.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
unsparingadjectiveUS /ənˈsperɪŋ/
very generous
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
untriedadjectiveUS /ənˈtraɪd/
not tried or tested by experience
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading After that, we left nothing untried for the time we had at our disposal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls were carefully sounded, stone by stone, the straw on the floor was swept aside and the flagging received the same unsparing scrutiny.
at the time that
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “That is why our Dutchman hid in the cask and waited for his chance,” said Champe, when the low door had baffled us completely.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Failing all else, we meant to try digging out the mortar joints around a stone in that part of the wall which Champe remembered as the highest above ground on the outside--this with our swords’ points.
