used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
achedverbUS /eɪkt/
past form of “ache” — feel physical pain
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
BLUFFnounUS /blʌf/
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
conversationaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənəl/
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Alison started with dismay.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
communicated in words
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
Graham'snounUS /ˈɡreɪəmz/
possessive form of “graham” — United States evangelical preacher famous as a mass evangelist (born in 1918)
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/
a small growth of trees without underbrush
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
joltingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊltɪŋ/
causing or characterized by jolts and irregular movements
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Alison started with dismay.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It struck her that the fact that she had not made the inquiry earlier said a good deal for her companion's conversational powers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
Thorne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "But--" she said and stopped, for it was evident that her misgivings could not very well be expressed.
at the time that
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
which person or people
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE CAMP IN THE BLUFF They stopped in a thin grove of birches at midday for a meal which Thorne prepared, and it was late in the afternoon when Alison, who ached with the jolting, asked if Graham's Bluff was very much farther.
an affirmative
From this reading "Oh, yes," he answered casually, "it's most of thirty miles."
