used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A TRICK.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
(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 All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A TRICK.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
defileverb
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
dislodgedverbUS /dɪˈslɑːdʒd/
past form of “dislodge” — remove or force out from a position
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
droningnounUS /ˈdroʊnɪŋ/
an unchanging intonation
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
the force of workers available
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
narrowedadjectiveUS /ˈneroʊd/
reduced in size as by squeezing together
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
on one occasion
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
outlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
pattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
pebblenounUS /ˈpebəl/
a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A TRICK.
pumpverbUS /pʌmp/
operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
precisely, exactly
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
not in physical motion
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
in a swift manner
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A TRICK.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading THE CAPTAIN PLAYS A TRICK.
undoubtedlyadverbUS /ənˈdaʊtɪdli/
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
directed up
From this reading As they were still looking upward, the men on the cliff summit began to pump down lead, the bullets singing and droning and pattering about them like a leaden hail storm.
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 All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a dislodged pebble, but it caused the advancing corps to look up swiftly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
in or at the place that
From this reading All at once, as they reached a part of the canyon where it narrowed into a mere defile, something came rattling down the side of the steep wall to the right.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Above them, outlined against the sky, were several figures,—those undoubtedly of the men of whom they were in search.
