used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
the first light of day
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
discordantadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɔːrdənt/
not in agreement or harmony
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
gumnounUS /ɡʌm/
a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
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 morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
jackassnounUS /ˈdʒækæs/
a man who is a stupid incompetent fool
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
joyousadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪəs/
full of or characterized by joy
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
the sound of laughing
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
locateverbUS /ˈloʊkeɪt/
discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
lukewarmadjectiveUS /ˈluːˈkwɔːrm/
moderately warm
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
take the midday meal
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
Marcella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
not in physical motion
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
oppressionnounUS /əˈpreʃən/
the act of subjugating by cruelty
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
on the contrary
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
not in physical motion
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
toynounUS /tɔɪ/
an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading They started awake at dawn to the discordant laughter of a jackass in the gum tree above their heads.
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 When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
trivialities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
uncannilyadverbUS /ənˈkænəli/
in an uncanny manner
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
unendurableadjective
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The depression of the night had gone; neither of them mentioned it; they talked of trivialities until they halted for lunch and drank a billy full of lukewarm tea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After a moment's struggle to locate herself Marcella sprang up and, running over the little plot of grass that fringed the creek, had another joyous swim.
precisely as stated
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The morning was very still--uncannily still, and already hot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
at the time that
From this reading When they started out along the bank of the creek about six o'clock they felt the oppression almost unendurable, but in the motionless air the five trees that marked Loose End were very distinct, though rather like toy trees in a child's model garden.
