used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
black-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
caws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
crowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
take in liquids
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
filesnounUS /faɪlz/
plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
Indian'snounUS /ˈɪndiənz/
possessive form of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
march in a procession
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
come together
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
in motion
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
the middle of the day
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
and nothing more
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
politelyadverbUS /pəˈlaɪtli/
in a polite manner
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
poolsnounUS /puːlz/
plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
SINCEprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
singlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡli/
one by one; one at a time
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
Snowblindnessnoun
temporary blindness caused by exposure to sunlight reflected from snow or ice
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
express in speech
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
not in physical motion
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
express in words
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are clear pools on the lake at noon, and then the crows come down and drink, marching to and fro, like files of small, black-clad soldiers.
understandsverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstændz/
third-person singular of “understand” — know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
Verilyadverb
in truth; certainly
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The ice is still thick and clear, but the sun on its surface and the moving water beneath are both wearing it away, slowly, surely.
a Caucasian
From this reading SINCE the first of December we have not seen the ground—only a great field of white so dazzling that one understands the Indian’s name for the March moon.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Verily, my own eyes tell me why it is the Moon of Snowblindness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They meet, and bow politely, speak to each other singly or in groups, then line up and off they go with hoarse caws.
