used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
boughnounUS /baʊ/
any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
terminate
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
placed crosswise
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
eventfuladjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
GrippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
hammeredadjectiveUS /ˈhæmərd/
shaped or worked with a hammer and often showing hammer marks
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
provided with artificial light
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
nailverbUS /neɪl/
attach something somewhere by means of nails
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
Nicky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
peaksnounUS /piːks/
plural of “peak” — the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
pulleynounUS /ˈpʊli/
a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
a strong line
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
sheavesnounUS /ʃiːvz/
plural of “sheaf” — a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
steadyingadjective
causing to become steady
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
dependable
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
push forcefully
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
male cat
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
the upper part of anything
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
directed up
From this reading Cliff flung an end of the light, strong rope they had brought and as it hissed upward Tom caught it and thrust its end through the pulley sheaves, drew more of it through and then, with Nicky, descended to the ground.
precisely as stated
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gripping the bough, steadying each other, they twisted the screw home until the pulley was safely secured.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading To this bough Tom and Nicky climbed before break of day on this eventful morning and to the top of the limb, after making a beginning with a large nail, hammered in a little way, they began to screw home a very strong pulley.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Before the peaks they had crossed were lit by the first hint of morning light, Cliff and his fellows were busy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Already, during the day past, they had selected a sturdy tree with a stout bough projecting over the cliff edge.
