Chapter XVI · Snowed Under

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

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

an increase by natural growth or addition

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

moving forward

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

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

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

The middle point or core of an area.

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

command with authority

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

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

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

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

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

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

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

unthinking; prompted by (or as if by) instinct

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

and nothing more

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

most important element

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

come together

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

a particular point in time

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

above and across; more than

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

a course of conduct

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

impossible to resist; overpowering

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The main body of the avalanche passed with a roar just beyond, and plunged into the cañon below.

except for; apart from

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

preservation of yourself from harm; a natural or instinctive tendency

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

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

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

causing extreme terror

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

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

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

a heavy rain

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

in the direction of

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The mass of snow that was advancing upon them appeared to be carrying everything before it, and they fully expected, in the moment they had for thought, to be added to that accumulation of débris.

distance travelled per unit time

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

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

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

at the time that

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.

in or at the place that

From this reading The boys had paused in the edge of the torrent, where its velocity was slight as compared with that of the center.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The great bulk, coming down with such terrifying velocity, reached them and piled over them, but not with the resistless force they were braced to meet.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading When the boys clung to the tree in the direct path of the avalanche, their action was the instinctive effort toward self-preservation, for they did not really hope it would save them.