used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FISHING FOR A PRIZE.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
athletenounUS /ˈæθliːt/
a person trained to compete in sports
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
climbverbUS /klaɪm/
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
divisible by two
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
excelsiornounUS /ɪkˈselsiər/
thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
FISHINGnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading FISHING FOR A PRIZE.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FISHING FOR A PRIZE.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
frictionnounUS /ˈfrɪkʃən/
a state of conflict between persons
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
lariatnounUS /ˈleriət/
a long noosed rope used to catch animals
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the force of workers available
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
Munson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
not any; not one
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
PRIZEnounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading FISHING FOR A PRIZE.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
RememberingnounUS /rɪˈmembərɪŋ/
the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
a strong line
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
scrapingnounUS /ˈskreɪpɪŋ/
(usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
shinning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
the upper part of anything
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading It is no easy task, even for a trained athlete, to climb forty or fifty feet of rope.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
untannedadjective
not converted to leather by a tanning agent
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
(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 Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading He could hear the scraping of the hands and the friction of the limbs against the rope, working steadily and in such a manner as to show that the man was succeeding well in the excelsior business and was sure to reach the top in time, if his strength held out.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The majority of men, if put to the test of making their way out of that cave by shinning up the long lariat suspended from the opening above, would have failed altogether.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Remembering how well his hearing had served him under somewhat similar circumstances, young Munson, watching so anxiously for the appearance of his friend, pressed his ear against the tough, untanned rope and listened.
