used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
AcenounUS /eɪs/
the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
ashnounUS /æʃ/
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
back-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was a night never to be forgotten.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
canyonnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
char-dust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
chokingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
the first light of day
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
establishingverbUS /ɪˈstæblɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “establish” — set up or found
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
FEATnounUS /fiːt/
a notable achievement
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading It was a night never to be forgotten.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had to retreat to the ridge.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
intactadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtækt/
constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a night never to be forgotten.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was a night never to be forgotten.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was a night never to be forgotten.
the middle of the day
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading They had to retreat to the ridge.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading They had to retreat to the ridge.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
witty remark
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
transport commercially
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
for a short time
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
snatchingverbUS /ˈsnætʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
in the near future
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
not in physical motion
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had to retreat to the ridge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had to retreat to the ridge.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
at the time that
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading Ace had forgotten all about his wireless message when, shortly after noon, his own ship arrived.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A DARING FEAT As sunset turned the wind down canyon, all hands made a sally down the mountain side in the hope of establishing a line of back-fire, but the ground soon became too hot for them, while the air was filled chokingly with ash and char-dust.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading When the wind turned at dawn,--with their line still intact,--the exhausted party took turn and turn about, snatching a few hours' sleep, wrapped in their blankets on the rocks, or making coffee.
