used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
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 A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
a small house with a single story
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
crumblingverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “crumble” — fall apart
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
one or the other of two
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
opinion or judgment
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
coins made of gold
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
Grayson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
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 A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
immediately past
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
a particular point in time
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
with speed
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
recurring again and again
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
in the near future
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
tattoonounUS /ˌtæˈtuː/
a drumbeat or bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But there was another and greater necessity than either of those driving him on, and, opening the gate, he quickly knocked upon the door.
precisely as stated
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
look attentively
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
at the time that
From this reading A FLIGHT BY TWO It was about ten by the watch, and a very cold, dark and quiet night, when Prescott reached the Grayson cottage and paused a moment at the gate, the dry snow crumbling under his heels.
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 There was no light in the window, nor could he see any smoke rising from the chimney.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was low but heavy, a repeated and insistent knock, like the muffled tattoo of a drum, and at last Miss Grayson answered, opening the door a scant four inches and staring out with bright eyes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The coal must be approaching the last lump, he thought, and the gold would be gone soon, too.
