used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
accumulationnounUS /əˌkjuːmjəˈleɪʃən/
an increase by natural growth or addition
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
ankle-deepadjective
coming only to the ankle or knee
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
ArcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
beaver-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
blubberverbUS /ˈblʌbər/
cry or whine with snuffling
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
lacking funds
From this reading The spell broke.
brownishadjectiveUS /ˈbraʊnɪʃ/
of a color similar to that of wood or earth
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
carpetedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːrpətɪd/
covered with or as if with carpeting or with carpeting as specified; often used in combination
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
Connie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
edgedadjectiveUS /edʒd/
having a specified kind of border or edge
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
goosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
greasenounUS /ɡriːs/
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
ice-locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
in-slanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
MorgannounUS /ˈmɔːrɡən/
United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
O'BRIENnounUS /oʊˈbraɪɪn/
Irish writer (born in 1932)
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
not divisible by two
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
owlnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
partnersnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnərz/
plural of “partner” — a person's partner in marriage
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
go across or through
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
on the contrary
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
rime-crusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
sootnounUS /sʊt/
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading The spell broke.
spellboundadjectiveUS /ˈspelbaʊnd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
spicules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
the upper part of anything
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
Waseche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O'BRIEN Surprise held Connie Morgan and Waseche Bill spellbound as they stood ankle-deep in the glittering frost spicules that carpeted the surface of the ice-locked river, and gazed speechless into the face that stared at them over the top of the rime-crusted rock.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
a Caucasian
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
wide-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The partners glanced from one to the other of these strange, silent faces that regarded them through wide-set, in-slanting eyes.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
in the company of; together with
From this reading From behind other rocks appeared other faces surmounted by odd beaver-skin caps, edged with the feathers of the blue, and snow goose, and of the great white Arctic owl.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The faces were white--or rather, through the winter's accumulation of grease and blubber soot, they showed a light brownish yellow that, in comparison with the faces of other Indians, would easily pass for white.
