used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
at or in the front
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
completely unclothed
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
bootnounUS /buːt/
footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
terminate
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
dirty-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
falteredverbUS /ˈfɑːltərd/
past form of “falter” — be unsure or weak
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
glacialadjectiveUS /ˈɡleɪʃəl/
relating to or derived from a glacier
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
hookedadjectiveUS /hʊkt/
curved down like an eagle's beak
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
kiltnounUS /kɪlt/
a knee-length pleated tartan skirt worn by men as part of the traditional dress in the Highlands of northern Scotland
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
numbadjectiveUS /nʌm/
lacking sensation
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
and nothing more
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
opaqueadjectiveUS /oʊˈpeɪk/
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
RossnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
an unelaborated elementary awareness of stimulation
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading Ross shuddered.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
stifflyadverbUS /ˈstɪfli/
in a stiff manner
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
thighnounUS /θaɪ/
the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
From this reading Every breath he drew stung in his lungs; his bare shoulders and arms and the exposed section of thigh between kilt and boot were numb.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
tunnelverbUS /ˈtʌnəl/
move through by or as by digging
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
at the time that
From this reading He could only move on stiffly, pushed ahead by his guards when he faltered.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading A black wire was hooked overhead and at regular intervals hung with lights which did nothing to break the sensation of glacial cold about them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It took Ross a while to learn that the dirty-white walls of this tunnel which were almost entirely opaque, with dark objects showing dimly through them here and there, were of solid ice.
