used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
augmentverbUS /ɔːɡˈment/
enlarge or increase
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
blood-thirsty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
capitulateverbUS /kəˈpɪtʃuːlɪt/
surrender under agreed conditions
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
exterminateverbUS /ɪkˈstɜːrməneɪt/
kill en masse; kill on a large scale; kill many
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
fervencynoun
feelings of great warmth and intensity
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
fleasnounUS /fliːz/
plural of “flea” — any wingless bloodsucking parasitic insect noted for ability to leap
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
depressingly dark
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
heretoforeadverbUS /ˌhɪrtəˈfɔːr/
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
lodgmentnoun
bringing a charge or accusation against someone
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
on one occasion
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
participateverbUS /pɑːrˈtɪsəpeɪt/
share in something
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
phasenounUS /feɪz/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
preferableadjectiveUS /ˈprefərəbəl/
more desirable than another
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
scorchingadjectiveUS /ˈskɔːrtʃɪŋ/
hot and dry enough to burn or parch a surface
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The sailors pitched four small tents; two for themselves, and two for the officers.
unmitigatedadjectiveUS /ənˈmɪtəɡeɪtɪd/
not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity; sometimes used as an intensifier
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading When once they made a lodgment in our clothing, it was useless to attempt to exterminate them; and _they_ never capitulate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To augment our troubles, the fleas were so numerous and so blood-thirsty, that for a few days I was in perpetual motion.
at the time that
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading These served for a shelter at night; but, during the day, when the sun shone with an almost scorching fervency of heat, unmitigated by a single cloud on the face of the sky, it was almost impossible to remain in them.
but in spite of that
From this reading Here indeed was a new phase of existence, gloomy enough in anticipation, yet far preferable to the dangerous scenes in which it had heretofore been my fortune to participate.
