used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
(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 Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Boys!
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
casingnounUS /ˈkeɪsɪŋ/
the housing or outer covering of something
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
defiedverbUS /dɪˈfaɪd/
inflected form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
divisible by two
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
and nothing more
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
go away from a place
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
levernounUS /ˈlevər/
a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
Ned's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
and nothing more
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
ordinarilyadverbUS /ˌɔːrdəˈnerəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
pincersnounUS /ˈpɪnsərz/
plural of “pincer” — a hand tool for holding consisting of a compound lever for grasping
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
pryverbUS /praɪ/
to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
purchasenounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəs/
the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
ripverbUS /rɪp/
tear or be torn violently
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
socketnounUS /ˈsɑːkət/
a bony hollow into which a structure fits
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
not in physical motion
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
three-quartersnounUS /ˌθriːˈkwɔːrtərz/
three of four equal parts
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
the upper part of anything
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
hard to endure
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
wastingnounUS /ˈweɪstɪŋ/
any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If only there were a half inch or so of the lever still projecting above the metal frame so that one might get a purchase on it with pincers, or-- “Silly that I am!” shouted Ned.
at the time that
From this reading “Here we have all been wasting our time and effort trying to pry the lever up, when we can just as easily rip off the metal top casing around the socket.
in or at the place that
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading That will certainly leave at least three-quarters of an inch of the lever sticking up where we can get at it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Dull despair gripped even the ordinarily cheerful Ned’s heart as he stared at the broken lever, flush with the metal work around the socket where it had defied all efforts to pry it up and loose.
