used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
antagonistnounUS /ænˈtæɡənəst/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
CasparnounUS /ˈkæspər/
(New Testament) one of the three sages from the east who came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
not accessible to view
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
the organ of sight
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
hoistverbUS /hɔɪst/
raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
instrumentaladjectiveUS /ˌɪnstrəˈmentəl/
relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
irresolutionnoun
doubt concerning two or more possible alternatives or courses of action
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
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 cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
a particular point in time
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
netsnounUS /nets/
plural of “net” — a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
not any; not one
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
and nothing more
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
Ossaroo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
proboscisnounUS /proʊˈbɑːsəs/
the human nose (especially when it is large)
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
quicksandnounUS /ˈkwɪksænd/
a treacherous situation that tends to entrap and destroy
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
on the contrary
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
roguenounUS /roʊɡ/
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
sagaciousadjective
acutely insightful and wise
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
Identical; not different.
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
shikaree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
straitsnounUS /streɪts/
a bad or difficult situation or state of affairs
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
express in words
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading Fortunately in this moment of uncertainty and irresolution a point of safety appeared to the eye of the shikaree, in the shape of a tree--the only one near the spot.
unpromisingadjectiveUS /ənˈprɔːmɪsɪŋ/
unlikely to bring about favorable results or enjoyment
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading To tell the truth, the vicinity appeared rather unpromising.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a tree that had already been instrumental in saving his life: for it was the same that stood by the little straits where Ossaroo had set his nets, and by means of which Caspar had been enabled to hoist him up out of the quicksand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The cliffs offered no ledge upon which they might have climbed out of reach of the rogue, the jungle might have afforded them a temporary shelter; but although it had concealed the elephant from their eyes, it could not long conceal them from the eyes of such a sagacious creature as their antagonist appeared to be.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Besides, the elephant was between them and it, and to retreat in that direction would be to run point blank upon its proboscis!
