used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
exhale hard
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
CATASTROPHEnounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading THE CATASTROPHE.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
CummingsnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋz/
United States writer noted for his typographically eccentric poetry (1894-1962)
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
extricateverbUS /ˈekstrəkeɪt/
release from entanglement of difficulty
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
fortificationnounUS /ˌfɔːrtəfəˈkeɪʃən/
defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
Neal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
absolutely essential
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
and nothing more
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
Poyor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
be seated
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
staggeringadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/
so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CATASTROPHE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "As near as I can guess there has been a land slide," Cummings replied.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It appeared as if the earth Poyor had dug up from the middle of the fortification was all heaped above him in such a manner that he could do nothing in his own behalf, and it was only necessary to dig this away.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
precisely as stated
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To extricate Neal from his disagreeable position was a long, but not a difficult operation.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading "What could have happened to upset things so thoroughly?" he asked, staggering to his feet, and being obliged to sit down very suddenly lest the wind should blow him down.
