used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
arduousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdʒuːəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
chasms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
recognizable; marked
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
(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 There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
interspersedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈspɜːrst/
past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
set down according to a plan
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
immediately past
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
without good reason
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
become covered with mist
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
and nothing more
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
out-cropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
radiatingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdieɪtɪŋ/
diverging from a common point
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
scrambleverbUS /ˈskræmbəl/
to move hurriedly
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
sharp-pointedadjective
having a sharp point
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
not in physical motion
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
STORM-STAYED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STORM-STAYED.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
a special situation
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
the upper part of anything
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
touristnounUS /ˈtʊrəst/
someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
unathletic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading After half an hour's arduous scramble, he decided that they must be close upon the top of the last rift, and stood still for a minute looking about him.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was not the only thing that troubled Vane as he stumbled on through the mist.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There, their route laid across banks of sharp-pointed stones that rested lightly on the steep slope, interspersed with out-cropping rocks which were growing dangerously slippery; and a wilderness of crags pierced by three great radiating chasms lay beneath.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Any unathletic tourist from the cities could have gone up without much difficulty by the way they had ascended, but it was different coming down on the opposite side of the mountain.
