used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
athleticadjectiveUS /æθˈletɪk/
relating to or befitting athletics or athletes
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
(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 “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
cactusnounUS /ˈkæktəs/
any succulent plant of the family Cactaceae native chiefly to arid regions of the New World and usually having spines
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
crevicesnounUS /ˈkrevəsɪz/
plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
dependingverbUS /dɪˈpendɪŋ/
-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
someone who is a detective
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
Dora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
gazellenounUS /ɡəˈzel/
small swift graceful antelope of Africa and Asia having lustrous eyes
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
growthsnounUS /ɡroʊθs/
plural of “growth” — (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 Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
IndependentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
and nothing more
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
prickly-pear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
profferedverbUS /ˈprɑːfərd/
past form of “proffer” — present for acceptance or rejection
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
established beyond doubt
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
scragglyadjectiveUS /ˈskræɡli/
ragged, thin, or untidy in appearance
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
sure-footedadjective
not liable to stumble or fall
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This plan proved successful until, in the descent, they came to a spot where the ledge below was farther than the girls could step.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading Mary, slender, light of foot, sprang like a gazelle from step to step feeling safe, since Jerry towered in front of her.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
in or at the place that
From this reading Dora, athletic of build and sure-footed, refused Dick’s proffered aid, depending on the scraggly growths in the crevices for support until they reached a spot where only prickly-pear cactus grew.
a Caucasian
From this reading The firm clasp of his big hand on her small white one made her feel protected and cared for and she was really enjoying the adventure.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now, Miss Independent,” Dick laughingly called up to her, “you would better put one hand on my shoulder and let me be your human staff.”
