(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
(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 The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
alternations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
the first light of day
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
immediately past
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
a course of conduct
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading PURSUIT.
with speed
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
only a very short time before
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
smoothernounUS /ˈsmuːðər/
a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
move hurridly
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With every step the dawn advanced, until at last the sun rose, and all the forest grew bright in the beams of day.
urgeverbUS /ɜːrdʒ/
force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As they hurried on, it grew gradually lighter, so that they were able to advance more rapidly.
which person or people
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The Indian who was at their head was able to keep there without much apparent effort, never holding back or falling behind, though if the ground had been smoother he could scarcely have done so.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The path remained about the same, winding as before, and with the same alternations of roots, stones, and swamp; but the daylight made all the difference in the world, and they were now able to urge their horses at the top of their speed.
