used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading BATTLE ROYAL “Idiot!”
borderingverbUS /ˈbɔːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “border” — extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
canoeistnounUS /kəˈnuːəst/
someone paddling a canoe
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
collisionnounUS /kəˈlɪʒən/
(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
dislikedadjectiveUS /dɪˈslaɪkt/
regarded with aversion
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
grayishadjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪɪʃ/
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
IdiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading BATTLE ROYAL “Idiot!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
loneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
Monty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
and nothing more
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
ovalnounUS /ˈoʊvəl/
a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
querulousadjectiveUS /ˈkwerələs/
habitually complaining
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
ROYALadjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading BATTLE ROYAL “Idiot!”
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
surprisedlyadverb
in the manner of one who is surprised
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The face of the latter was indistinct, only a grayish oval, but Monty was instantly convinced that he didn’t like it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
not known
From this reading In fact, he heartily disliked everything about the unknown canoeist, especially his voice.
unseatedverbUS /ənˈsiːtɪd/
past form of “unseat” — remove from political office
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The voice, sharp, querulous, came from the gloom on the heels of the collision, and Monty half unseated by the shock, struggled around and peered surprisedly at the speaker.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The skiff had wandered almost to the bank, and, since he was himself now in the darkness of the bordering trees, Monty had slight difficulty in making out the shadowy form of a canoe drawn close to the shore, and its lone occupant.
