used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
being joined in close association
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
BREAKSnounUS /breɪks/
plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
developmentsnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənts/
plural of “development” — act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The flap was drawn and fastened.
dummiesnounUS /ˈdʌmiz/
plural of “dummy” — a person who does not talk
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
dumpverbUS /dʌmp/
throw away as refuse
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
ensconcedverbUS /ɪnˈskɑːnst/
past form of “ensconce” — fix firmly
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading The flap was drawn and fastened.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Occasionally a figure moved slightly.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
flapverbUS /flæp/
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading The flap was drawn and fastened.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
the force of workers available
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Occasionally a figure moved slightly.
not any; not one
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally a figure moved slightly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
Plimsollnoun
waterlines to show the level the water should reach when the ship is properly loaded
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
ramparted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
reclaimedadjectiveUS /riˈkleɪmd/
delivered from danger
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
rockernounUS /ˈrɑːkər/
an attendant who rocks a child in a cradle
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
a strong line
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
SandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Occasionally a figure moved slightly.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A ROPE BREAKS The lantern, turned down, dimly illumined the tent and revealed the figures of three men seated about some sort of rough table.
twitchedverbUS /twɪtʃt/
past form of “twitch” — make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The flap was drawn and fastened.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Every little while Sandy twitched a line that was attached to a clumsy but effective rocker he had contrived beneath one of the dummies they had built from the stuff that Plimsoll had not reclaimed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No passer-by would have guessed that the three partners were ensconced in the black mouth of the tunnel, ramparted by the dump heap, watching for developments they were fairly sure would start with darkness.
