used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTRUDER IN CAMP.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading AN INTRUDER IN CAMP.
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 listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
increase twofold
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
eddyverbUS /ˈedi/
flow in a circular current, of liquids
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
Herbert'snounUS /ˈhɜːrbərts/
possessive form of “herbert” — United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INTRUDER IN CAMP.
INTRUDERnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdər/
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading AN INTRUDER IN CAMP.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
lastedverbUS /ˈlæstəd/
past form of “last” — persist for a specified period of time
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
multitudinousadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
not any; not one
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
on one occasion
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
and nothing more
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
go across or through
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
an amount of time
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The listening ear caught no further sounds of the multitudinous feet, and he dismissed the matter from his mind.
startlinglyadverbUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋliː/
in a startling manner
From this reading Once he heard the report of a gun, startlingly distinct, though he knew it might have been fired fully a mile away.
not in physical motion
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
move an implement through
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
at the time that
From this reading THE minutes pass slowly at such times, and, though Herbert’s duty lasted only two hours, they seemed double the length of that period during the day, or when his companions were awake.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The still air now and then was moved by what seemed a slight breeze, or eddy of wind, but it was barely sufficient to stir the blaze.
