used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And yet they did, in a measure.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
a youthful male person
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
breathsnounUS /breθs/
plural of “breath” — the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading WHERE DID IT GO?
opinion or judgment
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
fearsomeadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrsəm/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
fitfullyadverbUS /ˈfɪtfəli/
in a fitful manner
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading WHERE DID IT GO?
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
happeningnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋ/
an event that happens
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And yet they did, in a measure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WHERE DID IT GO?
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
lantern-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading And yet they did, in a measure.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
PressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
ranchersnounUS /ˈræntʃərz/
plural of “rancher” — a person who owns or operates a ranch
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
except for; apart from
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
only a very short time before
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As one of them had remarked, they might have to swim for it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
in or at the place that
From this reading WHERE DID IT GO?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Pressing back toward the rocky ledge, against which they leaned, gazing with fearsome eyes at the rising waters, on which the lantern-light shone fitfully, and almost holding their breaths at times, so great was the strain, the boy ranchers waited--for what they scarcely knew.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading For they waited to see if the waters would stop rising, a happening, as they well knew, which, alone, could save their lives.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet they did, in a measure.
