used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
aglowadjectiveUS /əˈɡloʊ/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
(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 Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
for the reason that
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
without deviation
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
divisible by two
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
at any time
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
the organ of sight
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
footprintnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
set up or found
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
and nothing more
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
marshyadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
being perceived or observed
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
observantadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvənt/
paying close attention especially to details
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
obstructedadjectiveUS /əbˈstrʌktɪd/
shut off to passage or view or hindered from action
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
ovalnounUS /ˈoʊvəl/
a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
a course of conduct
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
in the near future
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
rivetedverbUS /ˈrɪvətɪd/
past form of “rivet” — direct one's attention on something
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
TURTLEnounUS /ˈtɜːrtəl/
a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SIGN OF THE TURTLE Gordon now found the path easier to follow, partly because it was better defined and less obstructed by brush, and partly because the moon was coming to his assistance.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
at the time that
From this reading Keeping his eye ever to the right of the path for possible signs or directions, he hurried on, running when the way permitted, through a marshy hollow, and was just about to begin the climb of the hill before him when his observant eye became riveted on a certain flat stone with an oval wet spot in the center.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its light flickered through the tree tops some way before him over the summit of a hill which lay directly in his path.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Presently, the woods were all aglow with its checkered brightness.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he had not been a scout he would not have noticed this at all, and even the average scout would probably have mistaken it for a footprint.
