used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
ComptonnounUS /ˈkɑːmptən/
United States physicist noted for research on x-rays and gamma rays and nuclear energy
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
eagernessnounUS /ˈiːɡərnəs/
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
set up or found
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
interspersedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈspɜːrst/
past form of “intersperse” — place at intervals in or among
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
not any; not one
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
pricelessadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪsləs/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
cut with a saw
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/
plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
not in physical motion
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He hurried to the cave, but, of course, there was no one there.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
having great material or monetary value especially for use or exchange
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading A VOICE FROM THE DEAD Compton had found his father's book.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
at the time that
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
in or at the place that
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
belonging to which person
From this reading Then, still carrying the priceless book, he ran on to the gorge, where the warriors whose task it was to guard that part were gathering.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading To him it was a message from the dead--a priceless treasure; and as he read and saw how valuable it was as a record of close and intelligent observation in a new field, he was seized with an eagerness to be off with it out of the wilderness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading When the woman gave it to him he sat down for an hour turning over the leaves, closely filled with neatly written handwriting interspersed with many sketches.
