used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
(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 As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
in addition
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
astrideadverbUS /əˈstraɪd/
with one leg on each side
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
Bert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
graspingnounUS /ˈɡræspɪŋ/
understanding with difficulty
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But for that, Nan could have swung this leg up over the limb and so have perched there in safety.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
an opening into or through something
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
loopverbUS /luːp/
move in loops
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
a strong line
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading But for that, Nan could have swung this leg up over the limb and so have perched there in safety.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
be standing; be upright
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
suddennessnounUS /ˈsʌdənnəs/
the quality of happening with headlong haste or without warning
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading But for that, Nan could have swung this leg up over the limb and so have perched there in safety.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But for that, Nan could have swung this leg up over the limb and so have perched there in safety.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
bound or secured closely
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
a source of difficulty
From this reading This was what had caused the trouble--the leg getting caught and tangled in a loop of the rope.
tumbleverbUS /ˈtʌmbəl/
fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading DOWN A BIG HOLE For a few seconds Bert and Harry were so surprised at what had happened to Nan that they could do nothing but stand and stare up at her.
at the time that
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As for Nan, she also was surprised at the suddenness of her tumble when she was almost perched safely astride the limb to which the rope of the swing was tied.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As she felt herself slipping she had clung with all her might, one hand and part of her arm over the branch, another hand grasping the rope, one leg partly up over the limb, and the other leg tangled in the rope.
