used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
agilitynounUS /əˈdʒɪləti/
the gracefulness of a person or animal that is quick and nimble
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
next to; at the side of
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
bundledverbUS /ˈbʌndəld/
past form of “bundle” — make into a bundle
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
chafingnounUS /ˈtʃeɪfɪŋ/
soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
chapareras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
DanglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
DESCENTnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
down-peering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
fendverbUS /fend/
try to manage without help
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
destroyed or killed
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
any place of pain and turmoil
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
ledgesnounUS /ˈledʒɪz/
plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
staying power
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
outfitnounUS /ˈaʊtfɪt/
any cohesive unit such as a military company
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
a strong line
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
sharp-corneredadjective
having sharp corners
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
slingverbUS /slɪŋ/
hurl as if with a sling
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
in the near future
From this reading He was soon safe at the lower end of the rope, on the shelf beside the bundled outfit.
spidernounUS /ˈspaɪdər/
predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
twistverbUS /twɪst/
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this he was less concerned for himself than for his level, which he carried in a sling, high up between his shoulders.
watchersnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃərz/
plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The tough leather of his chapareras prevented the rope from chafing the leg around which it slipped, and he managed with his free foot to fend himself off from the sharp-cornered ledges of the cliff side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE DESCENT INTO HELL Dangling like a spider on its thread, with a twist of the rope around one of his legs, Blake had gone down into the ravine, hand under hand, with the agility of a sailor.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He waved his hat to the down-peering watchers, and climbed a few yards up the ravine, to creep in under an overhanging rock.
