(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
When someone or something ~es a place, they arrive there.
He did not stop until he ~ed the door...
He ~ed Cambridge shortly before three o’clock.
VERB: V n, V n
2.
If someone or something has ~ed a certain stage, level, or amount, they are at that stage, level, or amount.
The process of political change in South Africa has ~ed the stage where it is irreversible...
We’re told the figure could ~ 100,000 next year.
VERB: V n, V n
3.
If you ~ somewhere, you move your arm and hand to take or touch something.
Judy ~ed into her handbag and handed me a small printed leaflet...
He ~ed up for an overhanging branch.
VERB: V prep/adv, V prep/adv
4.
If you can ~ something, you are able to touch it by stretching out your arm or leg.
Can you ~ your toes with your fingertips?
VERB: V n
5.
If you try to ~ someone, you try to contact them, usually by telephone.
Has the doctor told you how to ~ him or her in emergencies?...
= contact
VERB: V n
6.
If something ~es a place, point, or level, it extends as far as that place, point, or level.
...a nightshirt which ~ed to his knees...
The water level in Lake Taihu has ~ed record levels...
VERB: V to n, V n
7.
When people ~ an agreement or a decision, they succeed in achieving it.
A meeting of agriculture ministers in Luxembourg today has so far failed to ~ agreement over farm subsidies...
They are meeting in Lusaka in an attempt to ~ a compromise.
VERB: V n, V n
8.
Someone’s or something’s ~ is the distance or limit to which they can stretch, extend, or travel.
Isabelle placed a wine cup on the table within his ~.
N-UNCOUNT: oft poss N
9.
If a place or thing is within ~, it is possible to have it or get to it. If it is out of ~, it is not possible to have it or get to it.
It is located within ~ of many important Norman towns, including Bayeux...
The price is ten times what it normally is and totally beyond the ~ of ordinary people.
N-UNCOUNT