used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN AUTO LEAP FOR LIFE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
any person at all
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
AUTOnounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading AN AUTO LEAP FOR LIFE.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What was to be done?
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading What was to be done?
at any time
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN AUTO LEAP FOR LIFE.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
impassableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsəbəl/
incapable of being passed
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
LEAPnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading AN AUTO LEAP FOR LIFE.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AN AUTO LEAP FOR LIFE.
engage in
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
removalnounUS /rɪˈmuːvəl/
the act of removing
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
splitverbUS /splɪt/
separate into parts or portions
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
not in physical motion
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The bridge across the canyon was impassable for an auto—that seemed certain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading What was to be done?
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 “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
vehiclenounUS /ˈviːhɪkəl/
a conveyance that transports people or objects
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What was to be done?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We can cut some trees and split off planks?” suggested Mr. Joyce.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was to be done?
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the open space caused by the removal of the two planks or rough trunks was not more than four feet, still it was a distance sufficient to make anyone despair of ever getting a vehicle across it.
