used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "How about you?" asked Ike.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
react verbally
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Did you hit any of 'em?"
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
ariseverbUS /ərˈaɪz/
come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
next to; at the side of
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
defileverb
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
a police officer who investigates crimes
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you hit any of 'em?"
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
a quad with a square body
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
only a very short time before
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
cause to move by striking
From this reading "Did you hit any of 'em?"
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How about you?" asked Ike.
IkenounUS /aɪk/
United States general who supervised the invasion of Normandy and the defeat of Nazi Germany; 34th President of the United States (1890-1961)
From this reading "How about you?" asked Ike.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
and nothing more
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
loopedverbUS /luːpt/
past form of “loop” — move in loops
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
the force of workers available
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
MexicansnounUS /ˈmeksɪkənz/
plural of “mexican” — a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
rattlingnounUS /ˈrætlɪŋ/
a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
Ridley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
cut with a saw
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
the upper part of anything
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Just got 'em all hooked up," was the answer.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
at the time that
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SHOT IN TIME Nat Ridley's shots in the direction of the advancing Mexicans had hardly ceased rattling amid the rocks of the defile on top of the mesa when the detective hastened toward the edge of the cliff whereon grew a single stunted tree, but strong enough for the ropes to be looped over, thus supporting the men as they went down hand over hand.
which person or people
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you ready?" asked Nat as he saw Jim, who had been kneeling beside his chum, arise.
