used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
in addition
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
someone who is a detective
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
without deviation
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
downfallnounUS /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/
failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
promote over another
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SNOWED IN.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
engage in
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
SNOWEDverbUS /snoʊd/
past form of “snow” — fall as snow
From this reading SNOWED IN.
in the near future
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At first this was in their favor, being directly on their backs and sending them over the ice at a furious pace, but soon it shifted, first to the left and then to in front of them, and now further progress appeared out of the question.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I'm afraid we can't make it!" gasped Dick, turning to catch his breath.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind also increased in fury until it blew a regular gale.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the coming of night the downfall of snow increased until it was impossible to see a dozen feet in any direction.
