used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
half-ebb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
immediately past
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
engage in
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
Nance's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
OTHERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
parcelnounUS /ˈpɑːrsəl/
a wrapped container
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
squabblingverbUS /ˈskwɑːbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “squabble” — argue over petty things
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had had other things to think about last night.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
tokennounUS /ˈtoʊkən/
an individual instance of a type of symbol
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He picked up his gun, listened anxiously for sound of him, and then crept cautiously out, with a quick glance along each slope.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
in or at the place that
From this reading Nothing!--nothing but the cheerful sun and the cloudless sky, and the empty blue plain of the sea, and the birds circling and diving and squabbling as usual--and Nance’s little parcel lying where she had dropped it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading HOW THE OTHERS CAME TO MAKE AN END He woke next morning with a start.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The sun was high, by the shadow of his doorway; and by that same token the tide would be at half-ebb, if not lower, and the gates of his fortress at his enemy’s mercy.
