Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

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

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

plural of “bench” — a long seat for more than one person

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

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

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

one or the other of two

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

an opposing military force

From this reading IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

at any time

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

apart from; not including

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

beyond normal limits

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

the muscle tone of healthy tissue

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

join or attach with or as if with glue

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

smeared with oil or grease to reduce friction

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

any of various fine-grained silty soils that become waxy and very sticky mud when saturated with water

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

lacking a visible order or organization

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

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

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

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

From this reading IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

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 Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

the force of workers available

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

wetness caused by water

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

not any; not one

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

the middle of the day

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in success. (Sự kiên trì, bền bỉ không bỏ cuộc.)

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

able to absorb fluids

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

very drunk

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

elastic; rebounds readily

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

the property possessed by a slope that is very steep

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

coming after or following

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

the act of swimming

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

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

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

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

From this reading IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

the upper part of anything

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

up to a particular time

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

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

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

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

From this reading On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.

(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 On the high benches it was not so bad for the springy, porous turf soaked up the excessive moisture and held its firmness tolerably well.

at the time that

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

in or at the place that

From this reading Between the succeeding tablelands lay gumbo flats where the saturated clay hung to the feet of our horses like so much glue, or opened under hoof-pressure and swallowed them to the knees.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But every bank of any steepness meant a helter-skelter slide to its foot, with either a bog-hole or swimming water when we got there, and getting up the opposite hill was like climbing a greased pole--except that there was no purse at the top to reward our perseverance.

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

From this reading From then until near noon we worked our passage if ever men did.