used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
accomplishverbUS /əˈkɑːmplɪʃ/
put in effect
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
anew
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
big-horn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
botheredadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːðərd/
caused to show discomposure
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
EAGLESnounUS /ˈiːɡəlz/
plural of “eagle” — any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
flippantlyadverb
in a flippant manner
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
set up or found
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
HennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
and nothing more
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
not any; not one
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
select carefully from a group
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
pretendedadjectiveUS /priˈtendɪd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
cut with a saw
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading In fact, as he proceeded downward, he found his task getting more and more difficult.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
a special situation
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One thing that bothered him was the getting up again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But although Step Hen spoke so flippantly, he was far from being as confident as he pretended.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A FIERCE FIGHT WITH EAGLES.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He just felt sure that he would not be able to accomplish it; but then, if it came to the worst, doubtless the balance of the descent was no harder to manage than this; and after first sending his big-horn down, he might pick his own way after it, and the others could follow as best they saw fit.
