used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
bravelyadverbUS /ˈbreɪvli/
in a courageous manner
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
channelsnounUS /ˈtʃænəlz/
official routes of communication
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
Chimo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
deem to be
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
enclosingnounUS /enˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of enclosing something inside something else
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
an old word for “before”
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
divisible by two
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
fettersnounUS /ˈfetərz/
plural of “fetter” — a shackle for the ankles or feet
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
floodsnounUS /flʌdz/
plural of “flood” — the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
a particular point in time
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
not in physical motion
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
not any; not one
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
on one occasion
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
PARSONnounUS /ˈpɑːrsən/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
pilot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
relentlessadjectiveUS /rɪˈlentlɪs/
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
resistlessadjective
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
refrain from harming
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
the season of growth
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
possessing sweep
From this reading At any moment now the river might close, and once caught in the relentless fetters of its ice the _Chimo_ must remain motionless until crushed and swept away by the resistless fury of the spring floods.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Phil dared not consider how many days might thus be spent, for he knew he had no days nor even hours to spare.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
waningnounUS /ˈweɪnɪŋ/
a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
From this reading The many channels revealed by the waning light of that day must all be explored ere the right one could be determined.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had held out bravely until this moment, but now it seemed as though a great black wall of difficulty was reared against him, and that it was gradually enclosing him on all sides.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
in or at the place that
From this reading A PARSON AT THE WHEEL Phil had been sitting alone in the pilot-house, where, in the chill darkness, the weight of his responsibility seemed almost too great to be borne.
