used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
(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 We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
at or in or to any place
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
Cruncher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
favorableadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərəbəl/
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
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 "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
engage in
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
PHIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
prematureadjectiveUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊr/
born after a gestation period of less than the normal time
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
not in physical motion
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
stridesnounUS /straɪdz/
plural of “stride” — a step in walking or running
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the movement on their part was premature, for it was still light enough to enable us to see an Indian anywhere in the clearing.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The dusk of the evening now favored them, and I think they understood what we were doing.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH PHIL AND HIS FRIENDS GUARD THE CASTLE.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Run for the block house!" said Kit Cruncher, leading the way with long strides.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We had realized all day, while building the block house, that we were watched by the Indians, and that whenever a favorable opportunity was presented, they would make a dash upon us.
