used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
abandonverbUS /əˈbændən/
forsake, leave behind
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
(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 It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
bygonenounUS /ˈbaɪɡɔːn/
past events to be put aside
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
cavitiesnounUS /ˈkævɪtiz/
plural of “cavity” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
being joined in close association
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
defaultnounUS /dɪˈfɔːlt/
loss due to not showing up
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
dwellersnounUS /ˈdwelərz/
plural of “dweller” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
divisible by two
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
at any time
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
set up or found
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
hollowedverbUS /ˈhɑːloʊd/
past form of “hollow” — remove the inner part or the core of
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
insurmountableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsərˈmaʊntəbəl/
not capable of being surmounted or overcome
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
ledgesnounUS /ˈledʒɪz/
plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
a course of conduct
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
poolsnounUS /puːlz/
plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
precipicenounUS /ˈpresəpəs/
a very steep cliff
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
Soa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
thunderedverbUS /ˈθʌndərd/
past form of “thunder” — move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
up to a particular time
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
waterfallsnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfɔːlz/
plural of “waterfall” — a steep descent of the water of a river
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE END OF THE JOURNEY An hour later the party began the ascent of the wall of rock, which proved to be an even more difficult business than they had anticipated.
which person or people
From this reading There was no path, for those who lived beyond this natural barrier never came down it, and few of the dwellers in the plains had ever ventured to go up.
belonging to which person
From this reading In default of a better road they followed the course of the river, which thundered down the face of the precipice in four great waterfalls, connected by as many sullen pools, whose cavities had been hollowed out in the course of centuries from the rock.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The second of these ledges proved so insurmountable that at one time Leonard thought that they would be obliged to abandon their attempt, and follow the foot of the cliff till they found some easier route.
a late time of life
From this reading It was possible, for Soa herself had descended here in bygone years, and this was all that could be said for it.
