used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
(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 By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
move towards
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
barracknounUS /ˈbærək/
a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
barracksnounUS /ˈbærəks/
plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Here and there lights were beginning to flash into view.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
give encouragement to
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
coldish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
distinctnessnoun
the quality of being sharp and clear
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
envelopingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈveləpɪŋ/
surrounding and closing in on or hemming in
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Here and there lights were beginning to flash into view.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
hangarsnounUS /ˈhæŋərz/
plural of “hangar” — a large structure at an airport where aircraft can be stored and maintained
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
heraldedadjectiveUS /ˈherəldɪd/
publicly announced
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here and there lights were beginning to flash into view.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Here and there lights were beginning to flash into view.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
mergingnounUS /ˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
the act of joining together as one
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
outbuildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
plateaunounUS /plæˈtoʊ/
a relatively flat highland
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
a full supply
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
refreshingadjectiveUS /rɪˈfreʃɪŋ/
imparting vitality and energy
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
springingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
star-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading By this time all nature had become gray and sombre, and the slowly advancing shadows which heralded the approach of dusk were enveloping the distant hangars and tents and merging the vast, sweeping line of the horizon almost imperceptibly into the coldish tones of the sky.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Here and there lights were beginning to flash into view.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
accept gladly
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were plenty of signs of life about the great plateau, and occasionally voices came over the air from the distance with peculiar distinctness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading From barrack windows, from tents and outbuildings, they shone—each little sparkling, star-like beam carrying with it a message of good cheer and welcome.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A pleasant refreshing breeze was springing up as Don Hale, with his chum, left headquarters and hastened toward the barracks which was to be his temporary home.
