used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
Barbeau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
completely unclothed
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
eminencenounUS /ˈemənəns/
high status importance owing to marked superiority
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
forksnounUS /fɔːrks/
plural of “fork” — cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
the act of giving
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
a quick look
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
temporary military shelter
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
come together
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Close behind him I caught a glimpse of the interior, my own heart heavy with disappointment.
peernounUS /pɪr/
a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
cut with a saw
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
only a very short time before
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a drizzle of rain in the air, and never saw I a more desolate spot; a bare, dreary plain, and away to the eastward a glimpse of the lake.
unoccupiedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːkjəpaɪd/
not held or filled or in use
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
at the time that
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A hut of logs, a mere shack scarcely fit for shelter, stood on a slight eminence, giving wide view in every direction, but it was unoccupied, the door ajar.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WE MEET WITH DANGER It was late in the afternoon of the second day when we arrived at the forks of the Chicago river.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Barbeau, in advance, stared at it in surprise, gave utterance to an oath, and ran forward to peer within.
