used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
BricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
lacking funds
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
the act of burning something
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
captivesnounUS /ˈkæptɪvz/
plural of “captive” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
put or send forth
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
clumpnounUS /klʌmp/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
DirknounUS /dɜːrk/
a relatively long dagger with a straight blade
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
set up or found
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
half-breednoun
an offensive term for an offspring of parents of different racial group (especially of Caucasian and American Indian ancestry)
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
immersedverbUS /ˌɪˈmɜːrst/
past form of “immerse” — thrust or throw into
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
khakiadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːki/
of a yellowish brown color
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
lickingnounUS /ˈlɪkɪŋ/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
MinknounUS /mɪŋk/
the expensive fur of a mink
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
not any; not one
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
rottenadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtən/
very bad
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
shakesnounUS /ʃeɪks/
plural of “shake” — building material used as siding or roofing
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Dirk, as he fled, cast a desperate glance over his shoulder.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
stealthilyadverb
in a stealthy manner
From this reading With Brick at his side, running stealthily and gasping for breath, he found himself beneath the shadow of a clump of pines.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading His back was toward them, and he was so immersed in his furious task that he took no notice of their flight.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading The two captives were out the door of the burning cabin in an instant, and broke wildly for cover in the thickets beyond the clearing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mink, their half-breed guard, had climbed somehow to the roof of his shanty, and with his khaki shirt, which he had torn off in haste, was striving to beat out the licking flames that fed on the dry, rotten shakes.
