used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN APPALLING VISITOR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
APPALLINGnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading AN APPALLING VISITOR.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
without deviation
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
destroyed or killed
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
information about recent and important events
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
PallasnounUS /ˈpæləs/
(Greek mythology) goddess of wisdom and useful arts and prudent warfare; guardian of Athens; identified with Roman Minerva
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
prayedverbUS /preɪd/
past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
preserveverbUS /prəˈzɜːrv/
keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
speedilyadverbUS /ˈspiːdəli/
with speed
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
subsideverbUS /səbˈsaɪd/
wear off or die down
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
someone who visits
From this reading AN APPALLING VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
WildenounUS /waɪld/
Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Alice had been sitting at the window, thinking how delicious that soft, dry wind was, but now she prayed with all her heart that it might speedily die.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
wood-cutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One bright September day, after David Wilde had been gone about a week with his raft, a wood-cutter came to the cabin with bad news.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading He informed Alice that the woods were on fire two or three miles back, and that the wind was driving the fire in a broad belt of a mile wide directly toward the house; that if the wind did not subside with the setting of the sun, nothing could preserve the place from destruction by the middle of the next day.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was yet many hours to sunset; and she, with Pallas, went into the forest until they could see the fire, and were in some danger from the drifting sparks.
