Chapter XIII

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

anew

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

(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 His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

from appearances alone

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

comparative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

with brightness

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

plural of “bruise” — an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

without care or concern

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

set up or found

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

plural of “happening” — an event that happens

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

immediately past

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

not compact or dense in structure or arrangement

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

not any; not one

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

established beyond doubt

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

moving as on a slippery surface

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

dependable

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

feeling or showing gratitude

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

in or at that place or location

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

the upper part of anything

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

a supporting tower used to support a bridge

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

a group of soldiers

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading The unfortunate happenings had begun with an accident to Mr. Durland.

up to a particular time

From this reading He had grasped at some stout bushes and so managed to stay his fall until help could reach him.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He had stepped carelessly upon a loose stone, and, his foot slipping, he had been thrown from his balance, and had rolled and slid down the steep mountain side.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

at the time that

From this reading His Troop had all been thankful enough when at last they had him at the top again and had found no bones were broken, and that there was apparently no more serious injury done than some severe bruises.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.

but in spite of that

From this reading THE BROKEN TRESTLE Never had a day dawned more brightly, never had the skies been bluer than on the morning of a day a week or so later, to which the Scouts had looked forward with so much pleasure; and yet it proved to be a day of disaster.