used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
chirpingverbUS /ˈtʃɜːrpɪŋ/
-ing form of “chirp” — make high-pitched sounds
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
rid of obstructions
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
finny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
start firing a weapon
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
Hubert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
and nothing more
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
loonnounUS /luːn/
a worthless lazy fellow
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
mockingadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːkɪŋ/
abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
mosquitoesnounUS /məˈskiːtoʊz/
plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
the activity of protecting someone or something
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
pursuingadjectiveUS /pərˈsuːɪŋ/
following in order to overtake or capture or as accompaniment to such pursuit
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
robinnounUS /ˈrɑːbən/
small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
in or at or to some place
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
Stane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
not in physical motion
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the northern heavens a rosy glow proclaimed the midnight sun.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
someone who visits
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was near midnight, but far from dark.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading And in his little canvas tent, sitting just inside, so as to catch the smoke of the fire that afforded protection from the mosquitoes, Hubert Stane still watched and waited for the coming of his promised visitor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was smoking, and from the look upon his face it was clear that he was absorbed in thoughts that were far from pleasant.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading Somewhere in the willows a robin was chirping, and from the wide bosom of the river, like the thin howl of a wolf, came the mocking cry of a loon still pursuing its finny prey.
