used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGER DAY.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
the act of breaking something
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
cannonading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A STRANGER DAY.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
heightsnounUS /haɪts/
a high place
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
long-expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
louderadjectiveUS /ˈlaʊdər/
comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
proclaimverbUS /proʊˈkleɪm/
declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading A STRANGER DAY.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
Veneda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Quite an hour before daybreak Veneda was awakened by sounds of excitement in the streets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The booming of a few guns came with the breaking day, faintly at first, but growing louder as the light increased.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without doubt the long-expected battle had commenced.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Bitterly cold though the morning proved, almost every one was astir, listening for the cannonading which would proclaim the opening of the engagement on the heights.
