used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there were no flames.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
start firing a weapon
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading But there were no flames.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
GropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
a small worthless amount
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
a particular point in time
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
not any; not one
From this reading But there were no flames.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
rimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
cut with a saw
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
semi-darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there were no flames.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
thudverbUS /θʌd/
make a dull sound
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then, in the semi-darkness, he saw a shadowy figure darting toward the dense bush rimming the lake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a moment, Jack thought the cabin was on fire.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Groping his way through the blinding smoke, he flung open the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But there were no flames.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading As he reached the better air, he heard a hard thud on the ground at the rear of the wretched cabin.
