used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
at or in the front
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
ascendedverbUS /əˈsendɪd/
past form of “ascend” — travel up
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
couloir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
discoveriesnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
explorationnounUS /ˌeksplərˈeɪʃən/
to travel for the purpose of discovery
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
exploredverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrd/
past form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
fissurenounUS /ˈfɪʃər/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
heart-breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
cause to move by striking
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/
plural of “hold” — the act of grasping
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
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 We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
loosenedadjectiveUS /ˈluːsənd/
straightened out
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
the light of the Moon
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
used to form the superlative
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
not any; not one
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
nothingnessnounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋnəs/
the state of nonexistence
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
and nothing more
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
onwardsadverbUS /ˈɑːnwərdz/
in a forward direction
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
go across or through
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
rakedverbUS /reɪkt/
past form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
rock-climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
in the near future
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
step-cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading From there onwards it was a rock-climb, certainly of considerable difficulty, but with no heart-breaking discoveries ahead, and it was about nine in the morning that we stood on the top.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
the upper part of anything
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
precisely as stated
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “It was on that day that after a week of exploration we hit on the only route at present known to the top of our peak.
at the time that
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
in or at the place that
From this reading We did not wait there long, for that side of the mountain is raked by falling stones loosened, when the sun grows hot, from the ice that holds them, and we made haste to pass the ledge where the falls are most frequent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We hit on the long fissure I have spoken of, we explored the ledge which from below seemed to end in nothingness, and with an hour’s step-cutting ascended the couloir which led upwards from it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading We started as soon as there was light enough to climb by, for, as you may guess, on very difficult rocks it is impossible to climb by lantern or moonlight.
