used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
(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 All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
ammunitionnounUS /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/
projectiles to be fired from a gun
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
for the reason that
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
brutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
discomfortnounUS /dɪˈskʌmfərt/
the state of being tense and feeling pain
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
Esquimaunoun
a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (“eaters of raw flesh”) but they call themselves the Inuit (“the people”)
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
eye-lids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
in a gradual manner
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
a small worthless amount
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
and nothing more
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
engage in
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
not any; not one
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
arrange in a container
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
in the near future
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
unconsciousnessnounUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsnɪs/
a state lacking normal awareness of the self or environment
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading THE LAST PAUSE The night slowly settled over the snow waste, and the little party, feeling no discomfort because of the cold, gradually sank into unconsciousness.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Each had his loaded gun and a good supply of ammunition; they could fight as well there as in any other place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Jack asked the Esquimau whether they ought not to prepare for a fight, but he replied that there were no preparations to make.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading Just before slumber weighed down their eye-lids the dismal howl of a wolf echoed faintly across the plain.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading All heard it, and Jack and the boys believed that one of the brutes had struck the trail of the hunters, and would soon be hot upon it, with an eager pack at his heels.
