used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "My feet are in terrible shape."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
climbverbUS /klaɪm/
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
contournounUS /ˈkɑːntʊr/
a line drawn on a map connecting points of equal height
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "My feet are in terrible shape."
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
hazardousadjectiveUS /ˈhæzərdəs/
involving risk or danger
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
hesitateverbUS /ˈhezəteɪt/
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
impassableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpæsəbəl/
incapable of being passed
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
an occurrence of something
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My feet are in terrible shape."
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
scratchverbUS /skrætʃ/
cause friction
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading "My feet are in terrible shape."
a particular situation
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading "My feet are in terrible shape."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
unlaceverb
undo the ties of
From this reading After thirty minutes of arduous effort, the Big Business Man sat down suddenly upon a rock and began to unlace his shoes.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They came upon many places that at first glance appeared impassable, or at least sufficiently hazardous to cause them to hesitate, but in each instance the changing contour of the precipice offered some other means of descent.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "I've got to rest a while," he groaned.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE VALLEY OF THE SACRIFICE For the first half-hour of their climb down into the valley of the scratch, the three friends were too preoccupied with their own safety to talk more than an occasional sentence.
