used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading And far behind us we heard his sing-song:
on the far side of; further than
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
Cayuga's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
the first light of day
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
dozingverbUS /ˈdoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
drawsnounUS /drɔːz/
plural of “draw” — a gully that is shallower than a ravine
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And far behind us we heard his sing-song:
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading "Four o'clock!
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
Johnstown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
knollnounUS /noʊl/
a small natural hill
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
lanthorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
set afire or burning
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
lodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading "Four o'clock!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
except for; apart from
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
sing-song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And far behind us we heard his sing-song:
term of address for a man
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
the season of growth
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
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 It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
watchmannounUS /ˈwɑːtʃmən/
a guard who keeps watch
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And far behind us we heard his sing-song:
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
which person or people
From this reading The stars lighted us through the streets of Johnstown, empty of life save for the muffled watchman dozing in his own lanthorn glow, who roused as he heard us, and shook his damp cloak.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The air was cold and without fragrance, for in our country it is the sun that draws the earth's sweetness in early spring.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was not yet dawn, though a few birds sang in the darkness around us, as Sir William and I set off for the Cayuga's lodge, which stood beyond the town on a rocky knoll, partly cleared of trees.
