used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
in actual fact
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
one or the other of two
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
with resolute determination
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
haulingnounUS /ˈhɔːlɪŋ/
the activity of transporting goods by truck
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
MatthewnounUS /ˈmæθjuː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
not any; not one
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
compacted by ironing
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
RESCUEverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
supportingadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/
furnishing support and encouragement
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
the upper part of anything
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
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 But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was truly an awful moment for both the lads, a moment never afterwards to be forgotten by either of them.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading But George, his knees firmly pressed against the low parapet wall that ran along the top in front of the house, had no difficulty in supporting the weight, and not too much in actually hauling up his living burden.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Another moment and he had seized one arm with a strong grip; the next he had pulled the child to him on the roof.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading THE RESCUE Matthew stopped short, unable to move a yard further, his eyes fixed upon the slight form hanging so dangerously high above him.
a late time of life
From this reading The time of suspense was but seconds; it seemed years.
