used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
Adirondack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
blackberriesnounUS /ˈblækberiz/
plural of “blackberry” — large sweet black or very dark purple edible aggregate fruit of any of various bushes of the genus Rubus
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
briers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
clearings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
a small house with a single story
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
housekeepersnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpərz/
plural of “housekeeper” — a servant who is employed to perform domestic task in a household
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
and nothing more
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
come together
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
and nothing more
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
a human being
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
select carefully from a group
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
on the contrary
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
only a very short time before
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading But bears are scarce and timid, and appear only to a favored few.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
unromanticadjective
neither expressive of nor exciting sexual love or romance
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it occurred to the housekeepers at our cottage--there were four of them--to send me to the clearing, on the mountain back of the house, to pick blackberries.
at the time that
From this reading It was a warm day in August, just the sort of day when an adventure of any kind seemed impossible.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was rather a series of small clearings, running up into the forest, much overgrown with bushes and briers, and not unromantic.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There is among the Adirondack visitors always a great deal of conversation about bears,--a general expression of the wish to see one in the woods, and much speculation as to how a person would act if he or she chanced to meet one.
