used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN A STRANGE LAND.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
all-surrounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
AlliancenounUS /əˈlaɪəns/
the state of being allied or confederated
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
bridle-path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
put or send forth
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
draining-ditch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
an old word for “before”
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
the organ of sight
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN A STRANGE LAND.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading IN A STRANGE LAND.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
magnoliasnounUS /mæɡˈnoʊljəz/
plural of “magnolia” — dried bark of various magnolias; used in folk medicine
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
obliquelyadverbUS /əˈbliːkli/
to, toward or at one side
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
plantationnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
rustlingnounUS /ˈrʌslɪŋ/
the stealing of cattle
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
not in physical motion
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading IN A STRANGE LAND.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
sugar-cane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
sweet-gums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
undriedadjective
still wet or moist
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading The eye could run but a little way ere it was confused by the tangle of vegetation.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading An hour later the stranger, quite alone, had left behind him the broad smooth road, between rustling walls of sugar-cane, that had brought him through Belle Alliance plantation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
water-oaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The way before him was little more than a bridle-path along the earth thrown up beside a draining-ditch in a dense swamp.
in or to any place at all
From this reading The trees of the all-surrounding forest--sweet-gums, water-oaks, magnolias--cast their shade obliquely along and across his way, and wherever it fell the undried dew still sparkled on the long grass.
