used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
aghastadjectiveUS /əˈɡæst/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/
plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
decliningverbUS /dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “decline” — grow worse
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
glinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
hilltopnounUS /ˈhɪltɑːp/
the peak of a hill
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
JAWSnounUS /dʒɔːz/
plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth
From this reading OUT OF THE JAWS OF THE TRAP.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
in motion
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a brief written record
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OUT OF THE JAWS OF THE TRAP.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading OUT OF THE JAWS OF THE TRAP.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
one of four equal parts
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
RodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
sky-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The declining sun glinted from hundreds of polished guns and bayonets.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUT OF THE JAWS OF THE TRAP.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
transpiringadjectiveUS /trænˈspaɪərɪŋ/
that is passing through
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
TRAPnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading OUT OF THE JAWS OF THE TRAP.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
a vivid mental image
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
in or at the place that
From this reading The summit of the low hill was not more than a quarter of a mile away from the spot where Rod and his two chums had dismounted, to stare aghast at what was transpiring before their eyes.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But now it seemed as though the whole hilltop were alive with moving figures.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The hill was almost devoid of trees near its top, and a minute before they had taken note of the fact that the bushes stood out against the sky-line with nothing to interfere with the vision of an observer perched aloft.
