used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
in addition to; as well as
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
blinkedverbUS /blɪŋkt/
past form of “blink” — briefly shut the eyes
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
confinementnounUS /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
without stop or interruption
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
someone who is a detective
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
exhaledverbUS /eksˈheɪld/
past form of “exhale” — expel air
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
flivver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
the act of giving
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
Hah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Hah!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
something that is lost
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
lungsnounUS /lʌŋz/
plural of “lung” — either of two saclike respiratory organs in the chest of vertebrates; serves to remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
nervenounUS /nɜːrv/
any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
owlishlyadverb
in an owlish manner
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
regainedverbUS /riˈɡeɪnd/
past form of “regain” — get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
scoutedverbUS /ˈskaʊtɪd/
past form of “scout” — explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
Slade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
be standing; be upright
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
we're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
which person or people
From this reading This is great!” exhaled Dick, who had regained his nerve and courage with his first breath of freedom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For several moments the boys blinked owlishly in the strong light and filling their lungs with sweet, fresh air, that seemed indeed like a breath of new life after their long confinement in the close atmosphere of the mine.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without unnecessary loss of time, the boys scouted around the house, and among the scrub oaks they came upon the flivver.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I never would have believed that simple fresh air could smell so good, and besides,” he continued, “it’s a lot of satisfaction to know that we’re giving Slade a taste of what he made us stand.”
