used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
for the reason that
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
the lower side of anything
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Thirlwell went on down the inclined gallery.
Driscoll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
fouladjectiveUS /faʊl/
highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading Thirlwell went on down the inclined gallery.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
usually; as a rule
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
hookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading Thirlwell went on down the inclined gallery.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
the force of workers available
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
not any; not one
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
PIT-PROP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
pit-props
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
only a very short time before
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
slickersnounUS /ˈslɪkərz/
plural of “slicker” — a macintosh made from cotton fabric treated with oil and pigment to make it waterproof
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
sortingnounUS /ˈsɔːrtɪŋ/
an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
sourverbUS /ˈsaʊər/
go sour or spoil
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
splashedadjectiveUS /splæʃt/
(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
Thirlwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
trappingnounUS /ˈtræpɪŋ/
stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a warhorse
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
trickledverbUS /ˈtrɪkəld/
past form of “trickle” — run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Water splashed upon his slickers and trickled about his feet; the tunnel was narrow and the air was foul.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Thirlwell went on down the inclined gallery.
at the time that
From this reading THE PIT-PROP Driscoll was sorting pit-props, throwing them on to piles at the bottom of the shaft, when Thirlwell stopped to hook a small, flat lamp to his hat.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He made no friends among the men, and gave Thirlwell a sour look without speaking when the latter picked up his lamp.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The man sometimes worked in the mine for a few weeks when the trapping season was over, and Scott was generally willing to engage him because he was skilful with the axe and labor was scarce.
