used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
anew
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
babelnounUS /ˈbæbəl/
(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Back and forth it went, endless, tireless.
for the reason that
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
camp-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
care-free
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
deliciousadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪʃəs/
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
move gently or carefully
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Back and forth it went, endless, tireless.
facileadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəl/
superficially impressive, but lacking depth and attention to the true complexities of a subject
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Back and forth it went, endless, tireless.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
the sound of laughing
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
scorning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
SpendthriftnounUS /ˈspendθrɪft/
someone who spends money prodigally
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
thoughtlessadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtləs/
showing lack of careful thought
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
thoughtlessnessnoun
the quality of failing to be considerate of others
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
tirelessadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərləs/
showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
From this reading Back and forth it went, endless, tireless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading She stood again behind a tree, looking on the camp-fire and the three figures that stretched or moved about it.
untroubledadjectiveUS /ənˈtrʌbəld/
not beset by troubles or disturbance or distress
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Back and forth it went, endless, tireless.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading She listened, but now without joy, to the babel of laughter which sped between them.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Spendthrift they were as young gods; care-free as young animals; with minds untroubled because they need not work, and bodies that were at ease because they were active; scorning the darkness in a gaiety that was delicious because it was thoughtless, and with a thoughtlessness that was lovely because it was young.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Youth calling and answering to youth; catching a facile fire from each other, and tossing it back as carelessly.
