used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Is there a loose stone anywhere about?"
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "We'll soon find that out," said the American.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
at or in or to any place
From this reading "Is there a loose stone anywhere about?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
awenounUS /ɑː/
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
Chris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "We'll soon find that out," said the American.
footholdnounUS /ˈfʊthoʊld/
an area in hostile territory that has been captured and is held awaiting further troops and supplies
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading "Is there a loose stone anywhere about?"
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
a full supply
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
shalenounUS /ʃeɪl/
a sedimentary rock formed by the deposition of successive layers of clay
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
in the near future
From this reading "We'll soon find that out," said the American.
make square
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading "Is there a loose stone anywhere about?"
terracenounUS /ˈterəs/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "We'll soon find that out," said the American.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Is there a loose stone anywhere about?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
tingedverbUS /tɪŋd/
past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll soon find that out," said the American.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
window-opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This was done, and a fresh examination made, but as far as could be seen the great square pit cut out of the rock went down smooth and square without a sign of foothold.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "I wonder how deep it is," said Chris, in a whisper tinged with awe.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, plenty on the terrace outside," said Ned, and he stepped back, passed out of the window-opening, and returned with a piece of shale as big as his hand.
