used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
(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 SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
backwardsadverbUS /ˈbækwərdz/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
chaffing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
chillingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ/
provoking fear terror
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
cordsnounUS /kɔːrdz/
cotton trousers made of corduroy cloth
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
haltingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
litheadjectiveUS /laɪð/
gracefully thin and bending and moving with ease
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
mischievouslyadverb
in a disobedient or naughty way
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
of an obscure nature
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
Omar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
on one occasion
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
REALMnounUS /relm/
a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
tardyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːrdi/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It swayed to and fro fearfully, and more than once I dreaded that I should lose my hold and fall backwards to earth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS REALM.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Omar above me, lithe and active as a cat, climbed on, chaffing me for my tardy progress, and now and then halting and mischievously shaking the ladder to increase my fear.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The higher I ascended the more strongly blew the wind, until it whistled in the thin ropes and blew through my scanty clothing, chilling my bones.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SO unsteady was the ladder, straining and springing at every step I took, that I was compelled to grip its wet cords with all the strength of which I was capable.
