used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another section of the crest of the dam had been swept away.
architectsnounUS /ˈɑːrkətekts/
plural of “architect” — someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings)
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Another section of the crest of the dam had been swept away.
bafflednounUS /ˈbæfəld/
people who are frustrated and perplexed
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
broaderadjectiveUS /ˈbrɔːdər/
comparative of “broad” — having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
damnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
in or to another place
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
hard-won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The crackling was mingled with a loud rushing noise.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading The crackling was mingled with a loud rushing noise.
the light of the Moon
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
not any; not one
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The crackling was mingled with a loud rushing noise.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
pluckyadjectiveUS /ˈplʌki/
marked by courage and determination in the face of difficulties or danger; robust and uninhibited
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading The crackling was mingled with a loud rushing noise.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Another section of the crest of the dam had been swept away.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
strongestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɔːŋɡəst/
superlative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
subsidiarynounUS /səbˈsɪdieri/
an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
possessing sweep
From this reading Another section of the crest of the dam had been swept away.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
plural of “tree” — 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 white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The dam was now strongest at this point, its crest being broader and formed of heavier timbers than elsewhere.
in or at the place that
From this reading But no sooner had the hard-won victory been secured, and the plucky little architects paused for breath, than there came an ominous crackling from far over to the extreme left of the dam, where a subsidiary channel had offered a new vantage to the baffled torrent.
a Caucasian
From this reading A white curtain of foam sprang into the moonlight, against the darkness of the trees.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The crackling was mingled with a loud rushing noise.
