used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
in actual fact
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
chaparralnounUS /ˌʃæpərˈæl/
dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
dronedverbUS /droʊnd/
past form of “drone” — make a monotonous low dull sound
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
remove the dust from
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
explosionsnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒənz/
plural of “explosion” — a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Jerry stooped to feel of it.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
floodingnounUS /ˈflʌdɪŋ/
a technique used in behavior therapy; client is flooded with experiences of a particular kind until becoming either averse to them or numbed to them
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
fringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
glintingadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪntɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Jerry stooped to feel of it.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry stooped to feel of it.
kickingnounUS /ˈkɪkɪŋ/
a rhythmic thrusting movement of the legs as in swimming or calisthenics
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
puffsnounUS /pʌfs/
plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
uttered with a trill
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
round-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
skimmingnounUS /ˈskɪmɪŋ/
the act of removing floating material from the surface of a liquid
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Jerry stooped to feel of it.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
surgesnounUS /ˈsɜːrdʒəz/
plural of “surge” — a sudden forceful flow
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sun had risen, flooding all the chaparral and glinting on the gulf surges beyond the fringing beach.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Now and then a piece of shell droned in, skimming the sand hills and kicking up puffs of dust.
uproarnounUS /ˈʌprɔːr/
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
veilingnounUS /ˈveɪlɪŋ/
a net of transparent fabric with a loose open weave
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
precisely as stated
From this reading A round-shot of solid iron actually came rolling down a slope and landed at their very feet.
welled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The uproar of the cannon in castle and city had welled to a deep, angry chorus; the American guns were answering; the morning air quivered to the quick explosions; and over city and strip of plain a cloud of black smoke floated higher and higher, veiling the sun itself.
