used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
having companions or an escort
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
(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 WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
completely unclothed
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
the lower side of anything
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
cyclonenounUS /sɪˈkloʊn/
(meteorology) rapid inward circulation of air masses about a low pressure center; circling counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
downpournounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːr/
a heavy rain
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
one or the other of two
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
firewoodnounUS /ˈfaɪərwʊd/
wood used for fuel
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
brought together in one place
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
a young female
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
heapedverbUS /hiːpt/
past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
ledgesnounUS /ˈledʒɪz/
plural of “ledge” — a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
mud-spattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
on the contrary
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
rubbishnounUS /ˈrʌbɪʃ/
worthless material that is to be disposed of
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
SALVAGEverbUS /ˈsælvədʒ/
save from ruin, destruction, or harm
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
scrapedverbUS /skreɪpt/
past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading But the girl had far too much to think about to feel any concern over the mere damage and destruction of things.
tree-cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading Not being able to find dry fuel, she gathered a quantity of the least sodden of the twigs and branches, and spread them out on a ledge in the clear sunshine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While her firewood was drying, she scraped away the mud and litter heaped upon her rude hearth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was rather a relief to find something that called for work.
WRECKAGEnounUS /ˈrekədʒ/
the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked
From this reading WRECKAGE AND SALVAGE All the wood in the cleft was sodden from the fierce downpour that had accompanied the cyclone; all the cleft bottom other than the bare ledges was a bed of mud; everything without the tree-cave had been either blown away or heaped with broken boughs and mud-spattered rubbish.
