used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
the state of being absent
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
eagerly desirous
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
avoidedverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪd/
past form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
buttonwoodnoun
very large spreading plane tree of eastern and central North America to Mexico
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
complaintsnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnts/
plural of “complaint” — an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
faringverbUS /ˈferiŋ/
-ing form of “fare” — proceed or get along
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
fortitudenounUS /ˈfɔːrtɪtuːd/
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
of an obscure nature
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
NuggetnounUS /ˈnʌɡɪt/
a solid lump of a precious metal (especially gold) as found in the earth
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
plightnounUS /plaɪt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
unusual or striking
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
rubbernounUS /ˈrʌbər/
an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
shieldedadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːldɪd/
(used especially of machinery) protected by a shield to prevent injury
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
in the near future
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
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 rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
tripsnounUS /trɪps/
plural of “trip” — a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
communicated in words
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
a message informing of danger
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS WARNING It is quite unnecessary to give a minute account of how Clay and Nugget spent the night on the island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After the gale subsided, and the thunder and lightning became less frequent, the boys made occasional trips to the buttonwood tree to see how the canoes were faring, and in this way they soon discovered that the creek was rising.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The rubber coats shielded them from the rain, and by crouching under the trees they avoided the fury of the wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nugget faced the situation with remarkable fortitude, and uttered but few complaints.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading As the absence of their companions was more and more prolonged they became worried and anxious, and gave but little thought to their own miserable plight.
