used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
(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 As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
borderedadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrdərd/
having a border especially of a specified kind; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
clear-cutadjectiveUS /ˈklɪrkʌt/
clearly or sharply defined to the mind
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
Devereux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
eerieadjectiveUS /ˈɪri/
suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
divisible by two
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
highest in quality
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
an opening into or through something
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
intimidateverbUS /ˌɪnˈtɪmɪdeɪt/
make timid or fearful
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
Leet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
in order that something should not happen
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
loomedverbUS /luːmd/
past form of “loom” — come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the force of workers available
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
mingleverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəl/
to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
moanedverbUS /moʊnd/
past form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
not any; not one
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
an organization to gain political power
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
RaccoonnounUS /ræˈkuːn/
the fur of the North American racoon
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
screech-owl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
starlitadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrlɪt/
lighted only by stars
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
wailingnounUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
loud cries made while weeping
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
a message informing of danger
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading From the shore below came the hoarse roar of the tumbling water, to mingle with the wailing murmur of the wind; and now and then could be heard, clear-cut and eerie, the cry of a screech-owl from the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading As for the men, they were all, even old Leet, out with the party watching at the "Black Hole,"--a bit of the sea shut in by a wood that bordered a wide sweep of meadow known as the "Raccoon Lot."
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The rising wind moaned through the woods about the Devereux homestead, that loomed, a dark mass, and silent as a deserted house.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As evening closed in, Joseph Devereux had ordered that no lights be shown about the house, lest they might attract the attention of any straggling soldiers; and he felt assured that this warning would be sufficient to intimidate the women into the greatest caution.
wreathnounUS /riːθ/
flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
From this reading The night was clear, bright, and starlit, with not a wreath of vapor drifting.
