used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
(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 Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
on or to one side
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well, I’ll be damned!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
Bill'snounUS /bɪlz/
possessive form of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
the lower side of anything
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
Camillo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
damnedadjectiveUS /dæmd/
expletives used informally as intensifiers
From this reading “Well, I’ll be damned!
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
let fall to the ground
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
remove the dust from
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
fastenverbUS /ˈfæsən/
cause to be firmly attached
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
coins made of gold
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I’ll be damned!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
without good reason
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
MacShane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
methodicallyadverbUS /məˈθɑːdɪkəli/
in a methodical manner
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
mittened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
PeeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
a strong line
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
sacknounUS /sæk/
a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
cut with a saw
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
snowshoesnounUS /ˈsnoʊʃuːz/
plural of “snowshoe” — a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
sprinkleverbUS /ˈsprɪŋkəl/
distribute loosely
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
thongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
push forcefully
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
thumpverbUS /θʌmp/
move rhythmically
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As he stooped to fasten the thongs of his snowshoes Camillo Bill’s mittened hand descended upon his shoulder with a thump that threatened to send him sprawling into the snow:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NORTH The journey to the Gordon claim was made in silence, and in silence MacShane pushed aside the poles that covered the mouth of the shaft against snow, and dropped lightly in.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, I’ll be damned!
windlassnounUS /ˈwɪndləs/
lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
withdrawverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔː/
pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Peering curiously over the edge, by the light of the glittering stars, Camillo Bill saw MacShane drop to his knees, thrust a hand into his pocket, withdraw a sack of dust and methodically sprinkle it into the gravel at the bottom of the shaft.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading Another and another sack followed until all the gold he had won from Gordon had been returned to the gravel, then, with the aid of the windlass rope, he drew himself from the shaft.
