used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
AlongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
avoidingverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
bedraggledadjectiveUS /bɪˈdræɡəld/
limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
blanket-pack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
boot-soles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
chillingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ/
provoking fear terror
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
clammyadjectiveUS /ˈklæmi/
unpleasantly cool and humid
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
cloud-bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
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 A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
continuouslyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəsli/
at every point
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
danknessnoun
unpleasant wetness
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
the first light of day
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
dimnessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
DownwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
drizzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
feeblyadverbUS /ˈfiːbli/
in a faint and feeble manner
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
inevitablyadverbUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbli/
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
meanderedverbUS /miˈændərd/
past form of “meander” — to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
Mohonk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
monotonouslyadverb
in a monotonous manner
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
precipitateverbUS /prɪˈsɪpɪteɪt/
bring about abruptly
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
rawadjectiveUS /rɑː/
(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
scantadjectiveUS /skænt/
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
shotgunnounUS /ˈʃɑːtɡʌn/
firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
slants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
slantwiseadverb
at a slant; moving or directed in a slantwise position or direction
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
STABverbUS /stæb/
use a knife on
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
possessing sweep
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through rain and fog feebly penetrated the sickly light of a dismal dawn.
TrapsnounUS /træps/
plural of “trap” — a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
uncertainlyadverbUS /ənˈsɜːrtənli/
in an unsteady manner
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
a vivid mental image
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
belonging to which person
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A STAB IN THE NIGHT Rain drizzled monotonously down on the Traps; cold, raw rain swept slantwise by wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the dankness and the dimness moved a bedraggled figure laden with a sodden blanket-pack and a dripping shotgun; a man whose blue lips and hollow eyes betokened a gnawing chill and scant sleep.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Along Mohonk and the Great Wall crawled clammy fog, blinding all vision and chilling all flesh within its folds.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Downward through dripping bushes he meandered uncertainly, avoiding steep slants of smooth rock on which his slippery boot-soles would inevitably precipitate him into disaster, and peering continuously about in search for a thin spot in the creeping cloud-bank.
