used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
buffaloes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
crocodilesnounUS /ˈkrɑːkədaɪlz/
plural of “crocodile” — large voracious aquatic reptile having a long snout with massive jaws and sharp teeth and a body covered with bony plates; of sluggish tropical waters
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
placed crosswise
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
flappedverbUS /flæpt/
inflected form of “flap” — move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
glistenedverbUS /ˈɡlɪsənd/
past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
gutternounUS /ˈɡʌtər/
a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
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 THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
mockerynounUS /ˈmɑːkəri/
showing your contempt by derision
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
the light of the Moon
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
muzzlesnounUS /ˈmʌzəlz/
plural of “muzzle” — the open circular discharging end of a gun
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
and nothing more
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
oppressingverbUS /əˈpresɪŋ/
-ing form of “oppress” — come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
poisonousadjectiveUS /ˈpɔɪzənəs/
having the qualities or effects of a poison
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
punkahnoun
a large fan consisting of a frame covered with canvas that is suspended from the ceiling; used in India for circulating air in a room
From this reading The punkah, too, flapped incessant, and only made the lamp gutter.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
Rudolph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
snoutsnounUS /snaʊts/
plural of “snout” — a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
sourverbUS /ˈsaʊər/
go sour or spoil
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
stifledadjectiveUS /ˈstaɪfəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
sweatnounUS /swet/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
in or at the place that
From this reading Broad leaves outside shone in mockery of snow; and like snow the stifled river lay in the moonlight, where the wet muzzles of buffaloes glistened, floating like knots on sunken logs, or the snouts of crocodiles.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading In sweat of body and heat of mind, he crossed from window to window, unable to halt.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A faintly sour smell of parched things, oppressing the night without breath or motion, was like an interminable presence, irritating, poisonous.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading THE HOT NIGHT Rudolph paced his long chamber like a wolf,--a wolf in summer, with too thick a coat.
