Chapter V · My First Scramble on the Matterhorn

a feeling of delighted approval and liking

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

a large mountain system in south-central Europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

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

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

without doubt; certainly

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

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

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

to the same degree (often followed by “as”)

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

(of persons) excessively affected by emotion

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

plural of “fill” — a quantity sufficient to satisfy

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a large number or amount

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

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

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the quality of not being available when needed

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

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

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy (14,780 feet high); noted for its distinctive shape

From this reading These mountains were the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn.

not able to be found

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

plural of “mountaineer” — someone who climbs mountains

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading These mountains were the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

too numerous to be counted

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

and nothing more

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

the local environment

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

possession of controlling influence

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

let for money

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

absolutely still

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

Swiss linguist and expert in historical linguistics whose lectures laid the foundations for synchronic linguistics (1857-1913)

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

break into many pieces

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

plural of “summit” — the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

confined on all sides

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

sweep across or over

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

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

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

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

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a just detectable amount

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

consisting of or derived from tradition

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

still full

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading Doubtless this is that débris which, in the form of pebbles, boulders and sand, fills our valleys and our plains,—de Saussure.

a person who has never had sex

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.

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

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

a mountain in the Alps in Switzerland (14,804 feet high)

From this reading These mountains were the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading These mountains were the Weisshorn and the Matterhorn.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

belonging to which person

From this reading What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments: one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of débris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighborhood.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading One of these had been attacked numberless times by the best mountaineers without success: the ether, surrounded by traditional inaccessibility, was almost untouched.

but in spite of that

From this reading Two summits amongst those in the Alps which yet remained virgin had excited my admiration.