used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
how long something has existed
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
(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 From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
have
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
CUBSnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
Injuns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
a boy or man
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
on one occasion
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
patternounUS /ˈpætər/
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
except for; apart from
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A BEAR AND HER CUBS SLOWLY an hour slipped by.
not in physical motion
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
possessing sweep
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
tombnounUS /tuːm/
a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To Dave it seemed an age, and more than once he peered up and down the rough rocks to see if there was any sign of friends or enemies.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Don’t go too far, lad,” said Raymond, by way of caution, after Dave had climbed out on the rocks for the fourth time.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading From a distance had come two shots, but after that all was quiet as a tomb, save for the wind, which still swept through the forest, and the occasional patter of a few drops of rain.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Those Injuns may be closer nor you think.”
