used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
encouragementnounUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the expression of approval and support
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
a boy or man
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
set up or found
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
grumbleverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəl/
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
GusnounUS /ɡʌs/
plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
hoboesnounUS /ˈhoʊboʊz/
plural of “hobo” — a vagrant
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
immediately past
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
by chance
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
projectionnounUS /prəˈdʒekʃən/
a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
runaboutnounUS /ˈrʌnəbaʊt/
an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
express in words
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This is a pretty kettle of fish, I must say!”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gus muttered as he heard the last low grumble of the runabout die away up the ascent, proving that the hoboes had indeed abandoned him there to his fate.
precisely as stated
From this reading He started in to examine his surroundings more carefully than before; but he found very little encouragement.
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 The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It is a sudden emergency like this that shows what a fellow is made of.
in or at the place that
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sheer wall arose for possibly a dozen feet above his head, with not the slightest sign of any projection that might serve him in an endeavor to reach the mountain road where the protecting railing lay.
