used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
damnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
someone who is a detective
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
draughtnounUS /dræft/
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
drawing-board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His expression was gloomily resigned.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
flickeredverbUS /ˈflɪkərd/
past form of “flicker” — move back and forth very rapidly
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
gloomilyadverbUS /ˈɡluːməli/
with gloom
From this reading His expression was gloomily resigned.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
Jake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
laborersnounUS /ˈleɪbərərz/
plural of “laborer” — someone who works with their hands; someone engaged in manual labor
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
in the near future
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
resignedverbUS /rɪˈzaɪnd/
past form of “resign” — leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
From this reading His expression was gloomily resigned.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
spannedverbUS /spænd/
inflected form of “span” — to cover or extend over an area or time period
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
not in physical motion
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
TwinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading DICK KEEPS HIS PROMISE Twinkling points of light that pierced the darkness lower down the hill marked the colored laborers' camp, and voices came up faintly through the still air.
migratory
From this reading The range cut off the land breeze, though now and then a wandering draught flickered down the hollow spanned by the dam, and a smell of hot earth and damp jungle hung about the veranda of Dick's iron shack.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His expression was gloomily resigned.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sat near a lamp, with a drawing-board on his knee, while Jake lounged in a canvas chair, smoking and occasionally glancing at the sheet of figures in his hand.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose you'll have things ready for us in the morning," Dick said presently.
