used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
bleaklyadverb
without hope
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
lacking funds
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
a person who is in charge
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
travel across or pass over
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
one or the other of two
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
the act of giving
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
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 The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
obviateverbUS /ˈɑːbvieɪt/
do away with
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
on one occasion
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
perishverbUS /ˈperɪʃ/
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
with speed
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
not in physical motion
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
possessing sweep
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The spot we chose seemed to obviate this danger, as a little way down the opposite bank made a broad curve, forming a point which shot for a long way into the river.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
ultimatelyadverbUS /ˈʌltəmətli/
as the end result of a succession or process
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The river had risen considerably during the night, and was still rising rapidly.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The morning broke, as it always did whenever we tried to cross the river, bleakly and coldly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Previous to our other arrangements, we fixed on a site from which to start ourselves, after the horses should once be safely across.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The chief danger in passing the river lay in the possibility of the middle current being too strong for us to stem, in which case we should of necessity be swept along with it, without being able to reach either bank, until, our strength giving way under the combined influence of the cold and our exertions, we should ultimately perish.
