Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

fear resulting from the awareness of danger

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

possessing life

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

past form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

with convulsions, in a convulsive way

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

not capable of being carried out or put into practice

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

Belgian composer (1532-1594)

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a brief written record

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

a straight line at right angles to another line

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a very steep cliff

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

plural of “projection” — a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

the possibility of future success

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

Identical; not different.

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

a Portuguese title of respect; equivalent to English “Mr”

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

the upper part of anything

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading He was ignorant at that time of the great strength of the South American lasso, and hesitated to trust his life entirely to it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity

From this reading Even the slight ledge on which he stood, and from which the little shrub grew, seemed to be crumbling away beneath his great weight.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading In the haste and anxiety of his descent he had failed to note that one or two of the slight projections on which he had placed his feet had broken away, and that therefore a return to the top of the almost perpendicular precipice by the same route was impracticable.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With that feeling of alarm which the sudden and unexpected prospect of instant death brings, we presume, even to the stoutest hearts, Lawrence clutched the line convulsively.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading "Hold fast to it, senhor, you'll never get up without it," he said, in tones so earnest that the youth became suddenly alive to the great danger of his position.