used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
basisnounUS /ˈbeɪsəs/
a relation that provides the foundation for something
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
terminate
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
increase twofold
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
fair-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
start firing a weapon
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
set up or found
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
the act of departing
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
guidingadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdɪŋ/
exerting control or influence
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
conformity or harmony
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
LONEadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
by chance
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
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 LONE TREE Suddenly, Frank Hardy had an inspiration.
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 He found some small shrubs and stunted trees and managed to break off enough branches to serve as the basis of a fair-sized blaze.
unsuccessfuladjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəkˈsesfəl/
not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
waterproofadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtərpruːf/
not permitting the passage of water
From this reading He had matches in a waterproof box in his pocket, and after several unsuccessful attempts he finally managed to get a fire going.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading In the shelter of some rocks he cleared away the snow, then began to search about for wood in order to build a fire.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he were lost the best plan was to build a fire which would serve the double purpose of keeping him warm and possibly guiding Joe toward him as well.
