used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
aroused or activated
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
lacking funds
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
deem to be
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
DEFEATnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
dislodgedverbUS /dɪˈslɑːdʒd/
past form of “dislodge” — remove or force out from a position
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
start firing a weapon
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
obtain
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
destroyed or killed
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspərˈeɪʃən/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
prospectorsnounUS /ˈprɔːspektərz/
plural of “prospector” — someone who explores an area for mineral deposits
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
ravinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
rekindleverbUS /riˈkɪndəl/
kindle anew, as of a fire
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
scrambleverbUS /ˈskræmbəl/
to move hurriedly
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
scratchesnounUS /ˈskrætʃəz/
plural of “scratch” — an abraded area where the skin is torn or worn off
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
slabnounUS /slæb/
block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
in the near future
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
possessing sweep
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
tablelandnoun
a relatively flat highland
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
tensenounUS /tens/
a grammatical category of verbs used to express distinctions of time
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
the upper part of anything
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
transitoryadjectiveUS /ˈtrænzətɔːri/
lasting a very short time
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The ascent was difficult: it cost him a tense effort now and then to gain a slippery ledge or to scramble up a slab, and he had frequently to stop and consider how he could best force a passage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was steep, and filled with ice in places, but freshly dislodged stones and scratches on the rocks showed him that the prospectors had gone that way.
at the time that
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading He was tired and damp with perspiration when he reached the top and met an icy wind that swept across a tableland.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Day broke with a transitory brightness while he had breakfast and soon afterward he entered the ravine.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading DEFEAT The next morning Prescott awakened in the dark and set to work, shivering, to rekindle his fire.
