used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
accidentaladjectiveUS /ˌæksəˈdentəl/
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had no thought of surrender.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
claspverbUS /klæsp/
hold firmly and tightly
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
coignnoun
expandable metal or wooden wedge used by printers to lock up a form within a chase
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
disclosedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskloʊzd/
made known (especially something secret or concealed)
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
flashesnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
staying power
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
Nathan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
not any; not one
From this reading But he had no thought of surrender.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
shiververbUS /ˈʃɪvər/
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
squarelyadverbUS /ˈskwerli/
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading But he had no thought of surrender.
moving very fast
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But he had no thought of surrender.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
Toombs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The more so, when he caught brief, swift flashes of the axe gleaming up through the dark foliage and felt the tree shiver at every sturdy stroke.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading The trunk of the leaning birch, so slender that his arms and legs could clasp it, had given him access to this coign of vantage and now offered a retreat from it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
at the time that
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
windfallnounUS /ˈwɪndfɔːl/
fruit that has fallen from the tree
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading When the accidental shaking of the branch disclosed his refuge, Nathan wished he had taken the easier shelter of a hollow log or the tangle of a windfall.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Toombs was intent upon his work, with his back turned squarely toward the foot of the birch, though barely six paces from it.
