Chapter XI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

of surpassing excellence

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

flutter like a butterfly

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

go after with the intent to catch

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a deep opening in the earth's surface

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

a young person of either sex

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

with equanimity

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

put on clothes

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

provoking horror

From this reading A FRIGHTFUL ACCIDENT.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

intense and profound fear

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

without or deprived of the use of speech or words

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a form of address for a man

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

above and across; more than

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a very steep cliff

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

make a promise or commitment

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

done under pressure

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

sharp piercing cry

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes

From this reading “Oh, God!” he groaned, as he stared into the abyss below.

thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

not mindful or attentive

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

up to a particular time

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.

at the time that

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

a Caucasian

From this reading “Mr. Wentworth!—oh!—is she—killed?” gasped Gertrude Athol, as she sprang to his side, her face as white as the flannel of her outing dress.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The child had played contentedly enough with her ferns and leaves until a brilliant butterfly had appeared upon the scene and attracted her attention, when she began to chase it, and, unmindful of her promise to her brother, ran too near the edge of the precipice, lost her balance, and fell with a terrified shriek into space.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Philip Wentworth rushed forward, an inarticulate cry of horror bursting from his lips, threw himself upon his knees, grasped a young tree that was growing there, and leaned over the chasm to see—he dare not think what.