used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading THE GHOST DANCE.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
opinion or judgment
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
a long fixed look
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading THE GHOST DANCE.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
and nothing more
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
cut with a saw
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
a particular situation
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GHOST DANCE.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
the upper part of anything
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
tuftnounUS /tʌft/
a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading It looked like a tuft of grass on the top of a swell, but as Carl looked at it he saw it move just a trifle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He was as certain as he wanted to be that there was an Indian behind that grass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading He was watching the soldiers, and he had pulled up that grass to conceal the movements of his head.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the guide was engaged in tossing out the shoes so that the soldiers could examine them he kept his eyes busy, and finally discovered something that fastened his gaze.
