used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But what a cavern it must be!
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
cragsnounUS /kræɡz/
plural of “crag” — a steep rugged rock or cliff
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
encouragingadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/
giving courage or confidence or hope
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
fissuresnounUS /ˈfɪʃərz/
plural of “fissure” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
flamingadjectiveUS /ˈfleɪmɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
greasedadjectiveUS /ɡriːst/
smeared with oil or grease to reduce friction
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
increasinglyadverbUS /ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/
advancing in amount or intensity
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
jeeringnounUS /ˈdʒiːrɪŋ/
showing your contempt by derision
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
Labyrinths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
ledgesnounUS /ˈledʒɪz/
plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
liberallyadverbUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəliː/
freely in a nonliteral manner
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But what a cavern it must be!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
and nothing more
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
pebblesnounUS /ˈpebəlz/
plural of “pebble” — a small smooth rounded rock
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
pouchnounUS /paʊtʃ/
a small or medium size container for holding or carrying things
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
promisinglyadverb
in an auspicious manner
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
with speed
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
RunounUS /ruː/
a rare polyvalent metallic element of the platinum group; it is found associated with platinum
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
slungverbUS /slʌŋ/
inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
required or under orders
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading _Among the Labyrinths_ Half an hour later, Ru had commenced the ascent toward the supposed cave entrance.
tribesmennounUS /ˈtraɪbzmɪn/
plural of “tribesman” — someone who lives in a tribe
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff 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 From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading From below, his tribesmen stared at him in a great crowd, shouting directions and by turns encouraging him and jeering; but he paid little heed to them, and picked his way as rapidly as he could among the crags and boulders toward the little black spot in the cliff wall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what a cavern it must be!
at the time that
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
which person or people
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading As he approached, that spot widened promisingly; and when from time to time he caught glimpses of it through fissures in the rock, he became increasingly certain that it was indeed the doorway to a cavern.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
Wuff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His only companion was Wuff, who scrambled willingly after him along the perilous ledges; his only equipment, in addition to the pouch of pebbles and the club that were slung at his side, consisted of a flaming torch liberally greased.
