used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
a youthful male person
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
CALAMITYnounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
carefully weighed
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
cook-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
Franz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
guidesnounUS /ɡaɪdz/
plural of “guide” — someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
impulsiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpʌlsɪv/
proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
MEETSnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
missilesnounUS /ˈmɪsəlz/
plural of “missile” — a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
attach to a support
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
not any; not one
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
riddleverbUS /ˈrɪdəl/
pierce with many holes
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
ridge-pole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
THEO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
very small
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
Tony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
tossverbUS /tɔːs/
throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
look attentively
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
at the time that
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
in or at the place that
From this reading What a surprise it would be to Tony and Franz to have the stones come clattering down upon them; and what sport it would be to watch them as they tried to solve the riddle as to where the missiles came from!
which person or people
From this reading It was a foolish scheme, and probably had Theo thought it over a second time he would have abandoned it; but he was an impulsive boy who often acted before he carefully considered what he was doing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THEO MEETS WITH A CALAMITY It was when Theo had been three days in camp that the accident happened.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Therefore without a moment's hesitation he cautiously dragged the ladder to the end of the cabin and, making sure that no one was looking, began climbing it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Outside the cook-house stood a ladder to be used in case of fire, and as one morning the boy passed it, it suddenly came to him what fun it would be to mount to the ridge-pole of the cabin and toss a handful of tiny pebbles down on the heads of the guides as they passed through the door beneath.
