used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
abilitiesnounUS /əˈbɪlətiːz/
plural of “ability” — the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
altarnounUS /ˈɔːltər/
the table in Christian churches where communion is given
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
anticsnounUS /ˈæntɪks/
plural of “antic” — a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
cow-puncher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
set up or found
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
LeapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
LEGENDnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
having a point
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
any competition
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
scramblingverbUS /ˈskræmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “scramble” — to move hurriedly
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
staidadjectiveUS /steɪd/
characterized by dignity and propriety
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest
From this reading "The stock!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LEGEND OF A FORGOTTEN RACE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
under normal conditions
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was wildly excited, and, as they emerged, he pointed down over the cliff edge.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading Leaping and scrambling over the top of the hollow altar to the best of their abilities, the four explorers found their cow-puncher friend dancing wildly about on the edge of the mesa, in imminent peril of tumbling over altogether.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Whatever is the matter?" exclaimed Jack, regarding the antics of the usually staid cow-puncher with amazement.
