used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
blazesnounUS /ˈbleɪzɪz/
plural of “blaze” — a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading “Yes, I see the blazes on the trees.
the lower side of anything
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
CyrusnounUS /ˈsaɪrəs/
Persian prince who was defeated in battle by his brother Artaxerxes II (424-401 BC)
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
draggledadjective
limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
one or the other of two
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
embarkedverbUS /emˈbɑːrkt/
past form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
Here's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here’s luck!”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
jack-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
the act of departing
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Here’s luck!”
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
notchesnounUS /ˈnɑːtʃəz/
plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Yes, I see the blazes on the trees.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
in other respects or ways
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
reposeverbUS /riˈpoʊz/
put or confide something in a person or thing
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
screennounUS /skriːn/
a white or silvered surface where pictures can be projected for viewing
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Yes, I see the blazes on the trees.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
spottedadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtɪd/
having spots or patches (small areas of contrasting color or texture)
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
tracklessadjective
having no tracks
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
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 “Yes, I see the blazes on the trees.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
hard to endure
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
uppermostadjectiveUS /ˈʌpərmoʊst/
at or nearest to the top
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I’m sure I hope we can find the trail all right,” said Cyrus.
at the time that
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was two o’clock in the morning when the tired, draggled pair stumbled ashore at the place where they embarked, hauled up their birch skiff, leaving it to repose, bottom uppermost, under a screen of bushes, and then stood for some minutes in deliberation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
the words that are spoken
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had been turning the jack-lamp on either side of him, trying to discover the “blazes,” or notches cut in some of the trunks, which marked the “blazed trail”—in other words, the spotted line through the otherwise trackless forest, which would lead him whither he wanted to go.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, I see the blazes on the trees.
