used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
anew
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
(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 Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
CLIFFSnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
the act of departing
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
Gregg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
and nothing more
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
resolutelyadverbUS /ˈresəluːtli/
showing firm determination or purpose
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
a strong line
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
sea-parrot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
steadiedadjectiveUS /ˈstedid/
made steady or constant
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
stungadjectiveUS /stʌŋ/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET OF THE CLIFFS As she felt herself going down step by step, Jean kept her eyes resolutely shut.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
thumpingnounUS /ˈθʌmpɪŋ/
a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
tightenedverbUS /ˈtaɪtənd/
past form of “tighten” — make tight or tighter
From this reading The rope tightened about her, as inch by inch Gregg let it out from above.
tipnounUS /tɪp/
the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
the upper part of anything
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
arousing affect
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
tundranounUS /ˈtʌndrə/
a vast treeless plain in the Arctic regions where the subsoil is permanently frozen
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Gradually as all went well, curiosity overcame her fear and she opened her eyes.
whirrverb
make a soft swishing sound
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
wingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading At that instant there came a whirr and a flapping of wings that set her heart thumping again, and out from the overhanging tundra on top of the cliff an astonished sea-parrot flew, so close that the tip of his wing stung her cheek.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She steadied herself with outstretched arms and hands just touching each wall of the cleft.
